The NBA All-Star game will be in the big apple this weekend and now the starters and reserves have been revealed. We will highlight the original picks for both conferences in this article, but days after both teams were picked a few of the stars were hit with the serious injury bug that will keep them out of the game.
This is a bummer for the players and the fans, but it is a blessing for a few players that were snubbed earlier in the process and now picked to become an All-Star. Honestly there are a handful of players that still deserve to play this weekend, but that isn’t what this post is about.
Original Starters for the Western Conference:
Steph Curry (Warriors), Kobe Bryant (Lakers), Anthony Davis (Pelicans), Marc Gasol (Grizzlies) and Blake Griffin (Clippers)
Original Starters for the Eastern Conference:
LeBron James (Cavs), Carmelo Anthony (Knicks), Kyle Lowry (Raptors), John Wall (Wizards) and Pau Gasol (Bulls)
Original Reserves for the Western Conference:
LaMarcus Aldridge (Trail Blazers), Kevin Durant (Thunder), Tim Duncan (Spurs), Klay Thompson (Warriors), James Harden (Rockets), Chris Paul (Clippers) and Russell Westbrook (Thunder)
Original Reserves for the Eastern Conference:
Paul Millsap (Hawks), Al Horford (Hawks), Chris Bosh (Heat), Kyrie Irving (Cavs), Jimmy Butler (Bulls), Dwyane Wade (Heat) and Jeff Teague (Hawks)
So now we have displayed the original team, but injuries to Bryant, Griffin, Davis, Anthony, Butler and Wade have changed who might be playing in this year’s All-Star game.
Bryant is out for the season with a torn rotator cuff and has been replaced by DeMarcus Cousins (Kings).
Blake Griffin is out for 2-6 weeks with a staph infection in his right elbow and has been replaced by Damian Lillard (Trail Blazers).
Anthony Davis hurt his shoulder and Dirk Nowitzki (Mavs) is replacing him.
LaMarcus Aldridge is currently playing with a hand injury, but there are no reports that he will sit out the All-Star game.
Dwyane Wade has a hamstring injury that will keep him out and will be replaced by Kyle Korver (Hawks).
Carmelo Anthony has a balky knee that has been giving him trouble and he’s contemplating sitting out the All-Star game. We will monitor that situation.
Jimmy Butler has a strained shoulder that may keep him out of the All-Star game. So we will keep an eye on this situation.
Hopefully nobody else has to sit out the game due to injury. The NBA does a great job putting on an excellent show during their all-star festivities and I look forward to watching this weekend.
