Post by Kasey on Jan 30, 2015 8:45:26 GMT -8
Updated: 1/30.14, 10:25 a.m.
Jan. 29 - The Blazers LaMarcus Aldridge was voted by Western Conference coaches as an all-star reserve. It is the fourth selection for the ninth-year forward from Texas.
Teammate Damian Lillard, who was voted to his first all-star game last season, was not voted on to the team this season. Some had speculated that he could be named as an injury replacement for the Lakers Kobe Bryant, who is out for the season with a shoulder injury. However, it has now been announced that the Kings' DeMarcus Cousins has been named to replace Bryant. In addition to the all-star game, Lillard also competed in four other events during last year's event.
The starting lineups were revealed after the result of a fan popularity vote for several weeks during the season. They are listed below.
Aldridge was largely considered a shoo-in by most media outlets, is averaging 23.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game this season. He was expected to be out for 6-8 weeks with a torn ligament in his thumb, but announced on Saturday that he would attempt to play with a splint though the end of the season and potentially in the playoffs. He is averaging 32.0 points and 9.5 rebounds since making his return, with the team going 1-1 in two games.
Aldridge has not seen heavy minutes in his previous all-star appearances. Averaging just 11.3 minutes and never playing more than 13, he has averaged 2.7 points and 2.3 rebounds in three games. He has said he anticipated playing in this year's game if he was selected.
The coaching staffs were selected and are based on the coaches whose teams had clinched the best record in the NBA by Feb. 1 -- Steve Kerr of the Warriors in the West and Mike Budenholzer of the Hawks in the East.
Here are the complete rosters for the conference all-star games:
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Starters
G - Kobe Bryant (Lakers)
G - Stephen Curry (Warriors)
F - Anthony Davis (Pelicans)
C - Marc Gasol (Grizzlies)
F - Blake Griffin (Clippers)
Reserves
F - LaMarcus Aldridge (Trail Blazers)
F - Tim Duncan (Spurs)
F - Kevin Durant (Thunder)
G - James Harden (Rockets)
G - Chris Paul (Clippers)
G - Klay Thompson (Warriors)
G - Russell Westbrook (Thunder)
C - DeMarcus Cousins (Kings)*
Head Coach: Steve Kerr (Warriors)
Assistant Coaches: Alvin Gentry; Ron Adams; Luke Walton
Athletic Trainer: Pete Youngman
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Starters
F - Carmelo Anthony (Knicks)
F - Pau Gasol (Bulls)
F - LeBron James (Cavaliers)
G - Kyle Lowry (Raptors)
G - John Wall (Wizards)
Reserves
F - Chris Bosh (Heat)
G - Jimmy Butler (Bulls)
C - Al Horford (Hawks)
G - Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers)
F - Paul Millsap (Hawks)
G - Jeff Teague (Hawks)
G - Dwyane Wade (Heat)
Head Coach: Mike Budenholzer (Hawks)
Assistant Coaches: Kenny Atkinson; Darvin Ham; Taylor Jenkins; Neven Spahija; Charles Lee; Ben Sullivan
Athletic Trainer: Roger Hinds
* injury replacement
The 64th NBA All-Star Game will tip off Sunday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. (pacific time), at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The game will be seen by fans in 215 countries and territories and will be heard in 47 languages. TNT will televise the All-Star Game for the 13th consecutive year.
Along with the All-Star Game, TNT will also air the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Feb. 13, and State Farm All-Star Saturday Night on Saturday, Feb. 14. The BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge and State Farm All-Star Saturday night will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Other events at Barclays Center include the NBA Development League All-Star Game presented by Kumho Tire and the NBA Development League Dream Factory presented by Boost Mobile on Sunday, Feb. 15, airing on NBA TV. Madison Square Garden will host Friday night's ESPN-televised Sprint NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.
Stay tuned to this forum for our all-star hub which will chronicle all of the major events of All-Star Weekend, including the three point shootout, which will feature the Blazers Wesley Matthews.
- MKM
Note: Statistics and other information courtesy of the NBA's official website.
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