By Justin Danziger
The 2015 NBA All-Star starters are out and the term “popularity contest” is staying consistent with this year’s balloting. The voters happened to leave out the NBA’s leading scorer but remembered to keep in Kobe Bryant. Since we are bound to see a few snubs in the completely biased voting, let me put your mind to rest with what should be the REAL All-Star roster.
The voters seemed to get the starting lineup right. Kyle Lowry DESERVES to start, maybe even more than Carmelo Anthony…actually, way more than Carmelo Anthony. Anyway, Carmelo is the second-highest scorer in the East.
Eastern Conference
Starters: Lebron James, John Wall, Kyle Lowry, Pau Gasol, Carmelo Anthony
Reserves: Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade, Al Horford, Paul Millsap, Kyle Korver, Jeff Teague, Chris Bosh
Coach: Mike Budenholzer
Picking reserves is so damn hard. There are so many good players out there, but the All-Star Game is meant to consist of the most effective and valuable players. Kyle Korver is on his way to a 50-50-90 season, and the other three Hawks were must-adds.
As for the West starters…uh, James Harden!
Western Conference
Starters: Stephen Curry, Blake Griffin, Anthony Davis, James Harden, Marc Gasol
Reserves: LaMarcus Aldridge, Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, Dirk Nowitkzi, Monta Ellis, DeMarcus Cousins, Mike Conley
Picking for the West is even tougher. I’m sorry, Kobe fans, he should be voted into the game (he is injured anyways).
All-Snub Team
Eastern Conference
Starters: Nikola Vucevic, Kemba Walker, Brandon Knight, Kevin Love, Derrick Rose
Western Conference
Starters: Kobe Bryant, Rudy Gay, Gordon Hayward, Goran Dragic, Dwight Howard
All Coach Team
Eastern Conference
Starters: Mike Budenholzer, Randy Wittman, Jason Kidd, Tom Thibodeau
Western Conference
Starters: Steve Kerr, Terry Stotts, Rick Carlisle, Dave Joerger, Gregg Popovich