The NBA All-Star game will take place at the United Center in Chicago on February 16th, and all the players are now known. The starter players, five in each conference, were selected by fans (50% of the decision), the US sports press (25%) and the players themselves (25%). However, the 14 reserves, seven from each conference, were selected by the coaches, Frank Vogel in the West and Nick Nurse in the East.
Who made the list?
Dec 19, 2019; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) gives Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) a hug after a game at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
The All-Star captains, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo were the players most voted by the fans in their respective conference. They will also choose the players they want in their teams. Starting with the starting line-up and following with the substitutes. Here are the chosen ones:
Western Conference: LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks), James Harden (Houston Rockets), Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers), Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers). Reserves: Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers), Chris Paul (Oklahoma City Thunder), Russell Westbrook (Houston Rockets), Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz), Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans), Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets), Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz)
Eastern Conference: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks), Kemba Walker (Boston Celtics), Pascal Siakam (Toronto Raptors), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers). Reserves: Kyle Lowry (Toronto Raptors), Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers), Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks), Domantas Sabonis (Indiana Pacers), Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)
Who’s out?
However, the choice of players for the 2020 NBA All-Star has not satisfied everyone. As every year and maybe even more so this year, complaints have been thrown West and East. First, there was Bradley Beal, who considered his absence from the All-Star Game “disrespectful”. Then, Jaxson Hayes went further and charged hard against the league after missing the Rising Stars Challenge. The young Pelican eloquently stated that: “They can suck my d***”. He later apologized for the language used, but his opinion is clear.
The last one to join the protests was Minnesota Timberwolves center, Karl-Anthony Towns, who was not called up for the All-Star game either. “It’s unfortunate that this year’s All-Star Game doesn’t include the 24 best players in the NBA,” said the player to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. However, the number 1 of the 2015 draft downplayed the importance of the Chicago event. The Wolf added that he is looking forward to winnings games, being in the playoffs and the finals.
Towns’ season in terms of individual statistics is sensational. Few players can boast of averaging 27 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. But injuries caused him to miss 17 games. And he also has one particular statistic against him: he hasn’t won a game since November 27th. No doubt an argument that could explain his criticized absence.
