The annual tradition of naming NBA All-Star starters is a fun way to recognize some of the game's best while also providing a snapshot of the league at a specific moment in time. There weren't a lot of surprises when this year's starters were announced on Thursday night, but there is another element of the All-Star voting that is always sure to raise a few eyebrows: Player votes.

Back in 2017, the NBA decided to incorporate votes from players (25 percent) and select media members (25 percent) to balance out the fan vote (50 percent), which had gotten out of control by nearly voting in Zaza Pachulia as a starter. It's clear, however, that many players are still not taking the process seriously either. Every season there are head-scratching votes for players nowhere near the All-Star level, and this year is no exception.

The most blatant disregard for integrity came from the four players who voted for Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren, who has yet to play an NBA game due to a foot injury. In fact, the Thunder roster was littered with players receiving votes, including Aleksej Pokusevsi, Lindy Waters III, Darius Bazley, Jaylin Williams, Isaiah Joe, Tre Mann, Aaron Wiggins, Kenrich Williams, Mike Muscala and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.

No ad available

Jae Crowder, who hasn't played a single game this season while awaiting a trade from the Phoenix Suns, received two (probably tongue-in-cheek) All-Star votes.

The most likely hypothesis is that some players are just voting for current NBA or former college teammates, other alumni or for a show of solidarity, or even an inside joke. It certainly undermines the process that seeks to choose the best players in any given season, but there has yet to be any serious damage done due to player votes.

No ad available

You can check out the full voting results for yourself, but here's a look at some of the more obscure and/or injured NBA names that received player votes to be All-Star starters next month.

Western Conference guards

  • Ochai Agbaji, Utah Jazz (4 votes)
  • Kemba Walker, Dallas Mavericks (1) -- played nine games this season
  • Matthew Dellavedova, Sacramento Kings (2)
  • Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Utah Jazz (4)
  • Kendrick Nunn, Los Angeles Lakers (1)
  • Isaiah Joe, Oklahoma City Thunder (1)
  • Tre Mann, Oklahoma City Thunder (1)
  • Aaron Wiggins, Oklahoma City Thunder (2)
  • Jordan McLaughlin, Minnesota Timberwolves (1)
  • Collin Gillespie, Denver Nuggets (1)
  • Kenrich Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder (2)
  • Duane Washington Jr., Phoenix Suns (1)
  • Keon Ellis, Sacramento Kings (1)
  • Josh Okogie, Phoenix Suns (1)
  • Bryn Forbes, Minnesota Timberwolves (1)
  • Ish Smith, Denver Nuggets (1)
  • Garrett Temple, New Orleans Pelicans (1)
  • Kennedy Chandler, Memphis Grizzlies (1)
  • McKinley Wright IV, Dallas Mavericks (1)

Western Conference frontcourt

  • Jeremiah Robinson-Early, Oklahoma City Thunder (3)
  • Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder (4) -- yet to play an NBA game
  • Simone Fontecchio, Utah Jazz (1)
  • Willy Hernangomez, New Orleans Pelicans (5)
  • JaMychal Green, Golden State Warriors (1)
  • Mike Muscala, Oklahoma City Thunder (2)
  • Boban Marjanovic, Houston Rockets (1)
  • Drew Eubanks, Portland Trail Blazers (3)
  • Neemias Queta, Sacramento Kings (1)
  • Torrey Craig, Phoenix Suns (1)
  • Jaylin Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder (2)
  • Bismack Biyombo, Phoenix Suns (3)
  • Jae Crowder, Phoenix Suns (2) -- has not played this season
  • Patrick Baldwin Jr., Golden State Warriors (3)
  • Jock Landale, Phoenix Suns (1)
  • Ousmane Dieng, Oklahoma City Thunder (4)
  • Tari Eason, Houston Rockets (1)
  • Lindy Waters III, Oklahoma City Thunder (2)
  • Usman Garuba, Houston Rockets (1)
  • Cole Swider, Los Angeles Lakers (1)
  • Leandro Bolmaro, Utah Jazz (2)
  • Luka Garza, Minnesota Timberwolves (1)
  • Udoka Azubuike, Utah Jazz (2)
  • Trendon Watford, Portland Trail Blazers (2)
  • Chimezie Metu, Sacramento Kings (1)
  • Greg Brown III, Portland Trail Blazers (2)
  • Ibou Badji, Portland Trail Blazers (1)
  • Micah Potter, Utah Jazz (1)
  • Isaiah Roby, San Antonio Spurs (1)
  • Josh Minott, Minnesota Timberwolves (1)

Eastern Conference guards

Eastern Conference frontcourt

  • Yuta Watanabe, Brooklyn Nets (1)
  • Georges Niang, Philadelphia 76ers (5)
  • Cedi Osman, Cleveland Cavaliers (2)
  • Bol Bol, Orlando Magic (6)
  • Blake Griffin, Boston Celtics (1)
  • Juancho Hernangomez, Toronto Raptors (3)
  • Omer Yurtseven, Miami Heat (3) -- has not played this season
  • Udonis Haslem, Miami Heat (2)
  • Nikola Jovic, Miami Heat (1)
  • Isaiah Jackson, Indiana Pacers (1)
  • MarJon Beauchamp, Milwaukee Bucks (1)
  • Oshae Brissett, Indiana Pacers (1)
  • Daniel Gafford, Washington Wizards (3)
  • Lamar Stevens, Cleveland Cavaliers (1)
  • Luke Kornet, Boston Celtics (1)
  • Paul Reed, Philadelphia 76ers (1)
  • Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic (1) -- has played two games this season
  • Frank Kaminsky, Atlanta Hawks (1)
  • Vernon Carey Jr., Washington Wizards (2)
  • Dalano Banton, Toronto Raptors (1)
  • Kai Jones, Charlotte Hornets (2)
  • Christian Koloko, Toronto Raptors (1)
  • Tony Bradley, Chicago Bulls (1)
  • Isaiah Livers, Detroit Pistons (2)
  • Chuma Okeke, Orlando Magic (1)
  • Kendall Brown, Indiana Pacers (1)
  • Caleb Houstan, Orlando Magic (1)
  • Jamal Cain, Miami Heat (1)