The reserve rosters for the 2017 NBA All Star Game next month in New Orleans were announced on Thursday. The weekend’s main event will bring a plethora of familiar faces as well as a few newcomers to the exhibition.
The Eastern Conference squad will now feature the Celtics explosive little man Isaiah Thomas, Washington playmaker John Wall, Cavs big man Kevin Love, Toronto cornerstone Kyle Lowry, Indiana’s phenom Paul George, Atlanta workhorse Paul Millsap, and Charlotte’s crossover king Kemba Walker, who is making his first All Star Game appearance.
The Western Conference will bolster its roster with the likes of Oklahoma’s walking triple double/MVP candidate Russell Westbrook, the Warriors splash brother Klay Thompson and the soul of the team Draymond Green, the Kings bruiser DeMarcus Cousins, Memphis’ favorite Spaniard Marc Gasol, and making their first appearances are Clippers rim protector DeAndre Jordan and emerging star Gordon Hayward of the upstart Utah Jazz.
Two familiar faces who won’t be participating in this year’s festivities are Bulls guard Dwyane Wade and Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, who are both members of struggling teams in the midst of turmoil.
Other snubs include but aren’t limited to Blazers high scoring backcourt Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, the NBA’s current highest paid player Mike Conley of the Grizzlies, Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, and Wizards shooting guard Bradley Beal.
The roster, as it is every year, will be the subject of much debate heading into the upcoming All-Star game on February 19th.
