Who are the 2018 NBA All-Star starters for each conference?
By Nir Regev
Who are this year’s NBA All-Star Game starters for each conference? Here’s the official list of players voted in to LA’s Staples Center.
The NBA All-Star Game vote results are in and the starters for both conferences have been announced for the Staples Center’ showdown on Feb. 18. The starters for the Eastern conference are: LeBron James [Captain], Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving, and DeMar DeRozan. Players had Kristaps Porziņģis ahead of Embiid in their voting, which differed from the fan vote.
When it came to the players’ favorite, Antetokounmpo was voted ahead of LeBron James. Charles Barkley called it a “matter of personality and that LeBron can be a drama queen,” which Shaq strongly disagreed with.
In the Western Conference, the starters are: Stephen Curry [Captain], James Harden, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, and DeMarcus Cousins. The fans would have had Manu Ginóbili ahead of James Harden as a starter. Last year’s reigning MVP Russell Westbrook was not named as an NBA starter in the vote. About 34-35 percent of TNT viewers voted that Westbrook was snubbed from being a starter at the All-Star Game.
Charles Barkley felt “winning should be rewarded” and that LaMarcus Aldridge should have been the starter for leading the Spurs to the 3rd best seed in the West without Kawhi Leonard. Shaq felt, “it’s not like the Pelicans are 30 games under .500,” and Davis/Cousins should not have their seasons disqualified based on record. Charles Barkley, Shaq, and Kenny Smith also stated they felt LeBron as Captain should pick Durant as his first pick.
The results were named live on the air on a special one-hour special of NBA on TNT prior to tonight’s NBA games.
Eastern Conference:
Kyrie Irving [BOS]
DeMar DeRozan [TOR]
LeBron James [CLE]
Giannis Antetokounmpo [MIL]
Joel Embiid [PHI]
Western Conference:
Stephen Curry [GSW]
James Harden [HOU]
Kevin Durant [GSW]
Anthony Davis [NOP]
DeMarcus Cousins [NOP]
The NBA All-Star Game in recent years
Last year’s NBA All-Star Game emanated from New Orleans’ Smoothie King Arena. The starters for the Eastern Conference were Kyrie Irving, DeMar DeRozan, LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. On the Western conference side, the starters were Stephen Curry, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and Anthony Davis.
The West defeated the East in 2017’s All-Star Game, 192-182. Davis was the game’s MVP with 52 points and 10 rebounds. The West previously won the bouts in ’16 and ’15 by scores of 196-173 and 163-158. Both wins came with Russell Westbrook as MVP. The East last won the matchup in ’14 in New Orleans with a score of 163-155 with Irving named MVP.
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2018 NBA All-Star Game Format
This year’s 67th NBA All-Star Game at L.A.’s Staples Center has a brand new roster format. The team rosters will be chosen by two captains from a talent pool of both starters and reserves, putting a spin on the occasion. The captains [James, Curry] are the All-Star Game starters with the most fan votes for their respective conference.
Where to watch the 2018 NBA All-Star Game
The NBA All-Star Game will be shown on TNT this year at 8 p.m. ET. with coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET. You’ll be able to stream the action live online via TNTDrama.com’s WatchTNT service.