NBA All Star Rosters Announced

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Here we go. We are two weeks away from the NBA All Star Game, the 73rd game in the league's history. It was originally supposed to be held in Indianapolis, but due to conflicts in schedules, it was moved to State Farm Arena in Atlanta. This is the 3rd time that the city of Atlanta has hosted the game, which this year is taking place on March 7th at 8PM. The other two times were February 5th, 1978 (at the Omni) and February 9th, 2003 (from Phillips Arena). The rosters for the game have been announced, and here's what we're looking at for the 2021 contest.

Western Conference:

Starters:
Guard: Stephen Curry, Warriors (7th) 
Guard: Luka Dončić, Mavericks (2nd) 
Forward: LeBron James, Lakers (17th)
Forward: Kawhi Leonard, Clippers (5th)
Center: Nikola Jokić, Nuggets (3rd)

Bench:
Guard: Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers (6th)
Guard: Donovan Mitchell, Jazz (2nd)
Guard: Chris Paul, Suns (11th)
Forward: Anthony Davis, Lakers (8th) 
Forward: Paul George, Clippers (7th)
Forward: Zion Williamson, Pelicans (1st)
Center: Rudy Gobert, Jazz (2nd)

Eastern Conference:

Starters:
Guard: Bradley Beal, Wizards (3rd)
Guard: Kyrie Irving, Nets (7th)
Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks (5th)
Forward: Kevin Durant, Nets (11th)
Center: Joel Embiid, 76ers (4th)

Bench:
Guard: Jaylen Brown, Celtics (1st)
Guard: James Harden, Nets (9th)
Guard: Zach LaVine, Bulls (1st) 
Guard: Ben Simmons, 76ers (3rd)
Forward: Julius Randle, Knicks (1st)
Forward: Jayson Tatum, Celtics (2nd)
Center: Nikola Vučević, Magic (2nd)

It going to be a very weird year this year seeing the All Star game, but it will be a welcomed sight as it is a somewhat return to normal. I know a few of the players aren't happy having the game this year, and rightfully so given the global context Even with that being said, there's a few guys that have been left out of the game. Given rosters sizes around the league, and for the game itself, its impossible to get every team represented like you see in other sports.

I mean, look at a guy like Jimmy Butler, who's been playing out of his mind in Miami since the beginning of last year. He was a huge reason why the Heat not only went as far as they did in last years playoffs, but he's a big reason why the Heat are only a half game out of the final playoff spot in the East. You can also make the same argument for another Heat player who got left out in the cold in Bam Adebayo, who might not be putting up quite the same numbers as Butler but is also helping carry this Heat team. Some around the league feel that one or both of those guys might have had a better shot at making the all star teams if the Heat had a better record.

Then there's a guy like Gordon Hayward out in Charlotte. Hayward is looking like his old self, before the leg injury, and is putting up numbers now almost close to what he did in his final season in Utah, which is saying a ton. Much like the argument made for the Heat in the East, you can make the same thing for the 12-19 Thunder in the West as a reason why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was held out of the game. He has taken over as the face of this Thunder franchise and his numbers on the floor this season have been backing that up.

So what are your thoughts on the rosters this year for the All Star game?