It’s an annual tradition: first, the NBA All-Star Game starters are announced, and basketball fans get upset about one player getting snubbed. (Hello, Russell Westbrook.) Then, just when things have settled down, the reserves are announced, and everyone gets angry all over again.
Commence arguing. The 2017 reserves are here. The full lineups (italics indicates starter):
East
Kyrie Irving, Cavaliers
DeMar DeRozan, Raptors
LeBron James, Cavaliers
Jimmy Butler, Bulls
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Kyle Lowry, Raptors
Isaiah Thomas, Celtics
Kevin Love, Cavaliers
Paul George, Pacers
Paul Millsap, Hawks
Kemba Walker, Hornets
John Wall, Wizards
West
James Harden, Rockets
Steph Curry, Warriors
Kevin Durant, Warriors
Kawhi Leonard, Spurs
Anthony Davis, Pelicans
Russell Westbrook, Thunder
Gordon Hayward, Jazz
Marc Gasol, Grizzlies
Draymond Green, Warriors
DeAndre Jordan, Clippers
DeMarcus Cousins, Kings
Klay Thompson, Warriors
As everyone expected, Russell Westbrook and Kyle Lowry—whom many basketball fans thought would be starters—were named reserves.
Two more Warriors, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, made the West squad, meaning 4/5 of Golden State’s starting lineup will attend the All-Star Game.
What people are going to be more interested in, however, is who didn’t make the squads. Joel Embiid and Chris Paul are the biggest names left off. Some expected Jazz center Rudy Gobert would make his first All-Star Game. Instead, DeAndre Jordan got the call. It’s also a bit surprising that Karl-Anthony Towns didn’t make it for the West. Damian Lillard was snubbed for the third year in a row (he made the game as an injury replacement in 2015).
Jordan, Kemba Walker, Gordon Hayward, and Paul Millsap were perhaps the most surprising selections.
Naturally, everyone is going to have a different opinion. What’s most important is that Russell Westbrook is going to come off the bench angry and try to score 100 in the All-Star Game.