Eastern Conference:
G Dwyane Wade Miami Heat (12th appearance)
G Kyle Lowry Toronto Raptors (2nd appearance)
F LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers (12th appearance)
F Paul George Indiana Pacers (3rd appearance)
F Carmelo Anthony New York Knicks (9th appearance)
Reserves
G John Wall Washington Wizards (3rd appearance)
G Jimmy Butler Chicago Bulls (2nd appearance)
F Paul Millsap Atlanta Hawks (3rd appearance)
C Andre Drummond Detroit Pistons (1st appearance)
F/C Chris Bosh Miami Heat (11th appearance)
G DeMar DeRozan Toronto Raptors (2nd appearance)
G Isaiah Thomas Boston Celtics (1st appearance)
Head coach: Tyronn Lue (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Western Conference:
G Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors (3rd appearance)
G Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder (5th appearance)
F Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers (18th appearance)
F Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Thunder (7th appearance)
F Kawhi Leonard San Antonio Spurs (1st appearance)
Reserves
G Chris Paul Los Angeles Clippers (9th appearance)
G James Harden Houston Rockets (4th appearance)
F Draymond Green Golden State Warriors (1st appearance)
C DeMarcus Cousins Sacramento Kings (2nd appearance)
F/C Anthony Davis New Orleans Pelicans (3rd appearance)
G Klay Thompson Golden State Warriors (2nd appearance)
F/C LaMarcus Aldridge San Antonio Spurs (5th appearance)
Head coach: Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs)
In this case, the league and fans got it right as to who should be playing on Valentines Day in Toronto. There are a few guys you could possibly argue got snubbed from playing in this contest. Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves is one. I've been saying that I think this kid could be the front runner for Rookie of the year this year and his numbers back it up. In eight games this year, Anthony-Towns has produced 25 points and 10 rebounds, tops amongst rookies this year. Rookies typically don't earn All-Star spots. It has happened just three times over the past two decades, and the last first-year player to make an appearance was Blake Griffin in 2011 (Bleacher Report). Towns, of course, never really stood a chance. He plays on a bad Minnesota team and the West has too many established talented players, and it's become clear over the years that seniority matters. But those factors only succeed in keeping Towns out of the picture. They do not make him any less deserving. He's been a real bright spot for Minnesota this year.
Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz can be thrown into this conversation as well. Four players are averaging at least 20 points, five rebounds and three assists per 36 minutes in addition to shooting 37 percent or better from three-point range. Gordon Hayward is one of them. Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Paul George are the other three to average those numbers and, guess what, each of is an All-Star starter.
Now I would like somebody to try and explain something to me. Anthony Davis of New Orleans (a bad team) is playing in the all star game. Damian Lillard, of the Portland Trail Blazers (another bad team) is not. How come? Lillard is playing at a level better than that of Davis yet isn't playing in the all star game. Interesting to note.
One final point of contention. Some people have been pushing for Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers to be playing in this game (some of which I'm hearing is coming out of Cleveland). Yeah you have no argument sit down. It was ten days ago this guy was benched for bad play. Now you want him in the game and your saying he's a snub? Give me a break. The guys I've listed above are more of a snub for this game than he is, so cut it out.
So there you have it, the rosters for the 2016 NBA All Star Game!
Big Thanks To Bleacher Report and ESPN for help with this article
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