The Golden State Warriors may be sitting outside the Play-In seedings with a 16-18 record, but that doesn't mean their popularity among fans has waned over their disappointing start to the season.
That much has been proven true with the return of the first fan voting ballot ahead of the 2024 All-Star Game to be held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana on February 18.
Klay Thompson's place in the top 10 of All-Star fan voting signifies the continued popularity of the Golden State Warriors
Unsurprisingly, Golden State superstar Stephen Curry ranks among the top handful of fan voting in the Western Conference. His place behind Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic may actually be disappointing, but Curry evidently remains one of the league's most popular players regardless.
It appears a mere formality that the 35-year-old will add a 10th All-Star appearance to his ever-growing legacy, with Curry having won the 2022 All-Star MVP after a blistering 50 points and 16 three-pointers.
While Curry's place towards the top of fan voting was a fait accompli, Klay Thompson's presence in the top 10 shows the popularity that the Warriors, and the veteran shooting-guard, still holds among fans.
Lakers’ LeBron James and Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo lead the NBA’s first 2023-24 All-Star fan voting return: pic.twitter.com/PuLC37lMFN
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 4, 2024
By all intents and purposes, Thompson should be nowhere near the 2024 All-Star Game. The form of the 33-year-old has been under the microscope for much of this season, with Thompson averaging 16.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game.
Thompson's place in the top 10 comes above a host of talented guards in the Western Conference, including Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker who was widely regarded as the biggest snub of the first fan voting return.
As much as fans may want to see Thompson make his sixth All-Star appearance, the sharpshooter's chances are practically zero given 50% of the final vote is made up by the media and players (25% each).
With Curry set to be the only Golden State player in the All-Star Game, all eyes will be on which of his teammates could partake in the remaining contests across the weekend.