Nikola Jokic is the best player in the world. And he’s having the best season of anyone in the NBA. None of this is debatable. Yet, the first round of All-Star voting was announced on Monday, and Jokic sits in third place overall, behind Luka Doncic of the Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks.
Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo lead their conferences in the first fan returns in NBA All-Star Voting 2026.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 29, 2025
Fans (50% of the vote) join NBA players (25%) and a media panel (25%) in selecting five players in each conference honored as starters.
Next fan update: 1/6. pic.twitter.com/pHykl9yhTE
If anyone can be argued on the level of Jokic this season, it’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder, the reigning MVP, who was shown even less respect than the Joker, finishing a measly eighth in fan voting.
Obviously, fan voting is completely skewed, and as much a popularity contest as anything, but still, how can this many voters, this invested in the game, possibly think Doncic or Giannis is having a better season than Jokic?
Doncic and the Lakers started off hot, but they’ve fallen back lately, and Luka’s play, while very good, has not met the elite standard he is used to. His defense is still a major weakness, his off-ball play on offense is virtually non-existent, and his athleticism isn’t what it used to be. He’s “settling” for more threes than ever, and barely pressuring the rim.
Giannis has had a great season, but only when he’s been on the floor, which simply hasn’t been nearly enough. The Greek Freak has played in just 18 of the Bucks’ 32 games, and as things stand today, Milwaukee is on the outside of the play-in picture, looking in, currently sitting in 11th place in the Eastern Conference.
Fan voting a major problem for All-Star game
Some of this stuff will get sorted out once the votes from the players and media come in, plus the coaches will have the final say on the benches. But still, it’s a bit of a stain on the league to see some of these guys so highly on these lists.
Deni Avidja is having a great year, but he shouldn’t be 7th in the West in votes, nor should LeBron and Austin Reaves be in the top 10. Jamal Murray at 14th in the conference, given the season he’s having, is shameful. Jimmy Butler shouldn’t even be anywhere near the list.
Things aren’t much better in the East. Tyrese Maxey is second in the conference, ahead of MVP candidates like Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, and Jaylen Brown.
I know the league is driven by fans, and it’s important to make them feel heard. But there has to be a better way to do it. All-Star appearances are frequently mentioned in legacy debates and Hall of Fame resumes. We can’t have those types of things decided in any way by people who would contribute to some of these ridiculous lists.