image via: youtube
The roster for the 2017 NBA All-Star game is now complete, as the reserves for each team were announced last night. As expected, there were some head scratching selections made and there are definitely a few upset players out there this morning.
@IamJoeSports
Joining Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis on the West squad are, Russell Westbrook, Klay Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins, Gordon Hayward, DeAndre Jordan, Marc Gasol and Draymond Green.
On the surface, that’s a great group of players but how in the hell did Damian Lillard not get selected? He is averaging about 26ppg, to go along with 6 assists but yet somehow Klay Thompson and Gordon Hayward made it over him despite both players averaging around 21ppg and not much else. Granted both players are on better teams but neither deserved to be there over Lillard.
The starters from the East are Lebron James, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, DeMar DeRozan and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Joining them in reserve roles are Paul Millsap, Kemba Walker, John Wall, Paul George, Isaiah Thomas, Kyle Lowry and Kevin Love.
I’m struggling to find reasons of how Millsap made the team over Carmelo Anthony and Joel Embiid. In only about 25 minutes of playing time per night, Embiid is averaging just under 20ppg and 8 rebounds. Imagine what those stats would be if he played even 35 minutes a night? Millsap is averaging 18/8 but playing way more minutes than Embiid. As for Carmelo, he is averaging about 23ppg and is still doing the things that have made him an all-star all these years.
In the end, I guess it’s basically impossible to always get the all-star teams right. There will always be deserving players left off but at the same time you have to be happy for players who get their first opportunity to be part of the event.
