"It's a lot of politics in it":  Kawhi Leonard makes his feelings clear on James Harden and Clippers' guard's All-Star case

James Harden and the LA Clippers have been one of the biggest surprises of the NBA at the halfway point of the 2024-25 season. The Clippers entered their 127-117 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday with a 25-19 record and the No. 6 in the Western Conference.

LA has been led largely by the efforts of Harden, who has performed at an All-Star level in the absence of All-NBA forward, Kawhi Leonard, who missed the first 34 games of the season. Clippers wing Norman Powell has also stepped up his play significantly, making an All-Star case of his own alongside Harden.

On Saturday, Leonard discussed his teammates' All-Star cases and a lack of attention among voters, saying:

"They've been playing great all year. It's a lot of politics in it, so we'll see what happens. I'm not sure if (the NBA) is going to give us two players, you know how that goes. Hopefully, they do, they've been playing at a high level."

Entering Saturday's matchup, Harden has appeared in 41 games, averaging 21.2 points, 8.2 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game, shooting 34.2% from 3-point range. In five fewer games, Powell is averaging 23.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists, shooting 49% from the field and 43% from beyond the arc.

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James Harden, Norman Powell among Top 10 Western Conference backcourt vote getters

The NBA revealed the voting returns from the third return of All-Star ballots, with fans showing love for the Clippers' backcourt tandem. In the returns, both Powell and Harden ranked among the top ten in Western Conference backcourt vote-getters.

As of Saturday, James Harden ranked No. 7 among Western Conference guards in All-Star votes with 686,772, ahead of Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox. Powell ranked No. 10 among West guards with 302,117 votes, roughly 26,000 votes behind ninth-place, Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker.

James Harden is likely a lock to earn his 11th All-Star nod in his 16th NBA season, but Norman Powell could need some help. Fortunately for Powell, he will likely be among the top injury reserves to replace injured Western Conference guards and earn his first All-Star bid in his 10th NBA season.