Miami Heat: Kendrick Nunn is a ‘Rising Star’ or the definition needs adjusting
The Miami Heat were all set to not have representation at the NBA’s abbreviated version of All Star Weekend this season.
With Bam Adebayo stating that he turned down an opportunity to defend his crown as the NBA Skills Challenge Champion and with Jimmy Butler reportedly turning down an opportunity to be an All-Star because Bam wasn’t selected, a noble and righteously correct move in my opinion, it was almost set in stone.
Then, the rosters were announced for the NBA Rising Stars Challenge. Representing Miami and rightfully so again, were Tyler Herro and Precious Achiuwa. Here’s the thing about that though, Kendrick Nunn was nowhere in sight.
The Miami Heat will be represented at All-Star Weekend, but Kendrick Nunn was still snubbed.
From the NBA’s official release, the rosters go as follows.
"Williamson and Morant lead a U.S. Team roster with 10 players from 10 different teams. Joining Williamson and Morant are Charlotte Hornets guard and two-time reigning Kia NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month LaMelo Ball; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards; Sacramento Kings guard and two-time reigning Kia NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month Tyrese Haliburton; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro; Atlanta Hawks forward De’Andre Hunter; San Antonio Spurs guard/forward Keldon Johnson; Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr.; and Golden State Warriors center James Wiseman.Six countries are represented on the World Team roster, including five players from Canada. The World Team is composed of Heat forward Precious Achiuwa (Nigeria); Pelicans guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Canada); Washington Wizards forwards Deni Avdija (Israel) and Rui Hachimura (Japan); New York Knicks guard/forward RJ Barrett (Canada); Nuggets guard Facundo Campazzo (Argentina); Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (Canada); Oklahoma City Thunder guards Luguentz Dort (Canada) and Théo Maledon (France); and Warriors guard Mychal Mulder (Canada)."
Here is the thing, when Kendrick Nunn is not only having as good a season as most of the people on those rosters and that’s all but maybe three or four of them, at most, and when he was a top finisher for the Rookie Of The Year award last season, how can it make sense that he isn’t participating?
It just doesn’t. If Nunn isn’t a Rising Star, then I don’t know the definition of the phrase or they need to change the title of the honor.
It’s just that simple. There is no world where he shouldn’t be on the roster, at least not this world.