The All-Star starters have already been announced. The Western Conference starters include: Stephen Curry, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Kevin Love, and Blake Griffin. The Eastern Conference starters: Kyrie Irving, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Paul George, and LeBron James.
My thoughts on that group? Well, goodbye centers! I remember watching the All-Star game growing up and watching guys like Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, Shaquille O’Neal, and Dikembe Mutombo playing in these contest and even launching three-pointers towards the end of games (for fun).
Between the two conferences we have four small forwards starting. Why? I guess this game should be about the best players, but the "Well, we can't have LeBron starting over George … so why not be able to start them both!" thing bothers me. Yes, LBJ plays some power forward as does Melo, but it stinks not seeing traditional rosters.
Also good to see Bryant make the cut, even though he has only appeared in six games this season. CAN'T WE GET A GAMES PLAYED REQUIREMENT FOR THE ALL-STAR GAME?!? Kobe will have to be replaced, due to injury, and he had a really good quote on being voted in:
"With all due respect to the fans that voted me in, I certainly appreciate that, they know how much I appreciate that, but you got to do the right thing as well," Bryant said before the Lakers' 109-102 loss to the Miami Heat on Thursday night. "My fans know you got to reward these young guys for the work that they've been putting in….
"I think it's important for them to go in and perform," Bryant said. "They've been playing all season. They deserve to be in there. They deserve to play. So, I see no reason why they shouldn't be out there doing their thing."
Well, the starters have been named and here is the information on when the reserves will be announced. The reserves are selected by the coaches and carry a much higher honor, in my opinion, than the starters.
When: Thursday, Jan. 30 at 5:00 p.m. MT
Watch: TNT
Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith
Will Ty Lawson make the team? How about Olympic hopeful Kenneth Faried? We’ll find out soon enough …
