With NBA All Star Weekend just a few weeks away, fans were eager to see who will join their voted-in starters in the NBA’s ultimate showcase on February 16th. On January 30th, they got their answer. Unlike the starters, the reserves for the All-Star teams are voted by the coaches and general managers around the league. For the Eastern Conference, Chris Bosh joins his teammates LeBron James and Dwayne Wade for his 9th All Star Appearance. The East will feature three first time All-Stars consisting of the Raptors’ Demar DeRozan, Atlanta’s Paul Millsap, and John Wall of the Washington Wizards. Completing the East roster, Joe Johnson returns to the All-Star game along with the Pacers’ Roy Hibbert and Chicago’s Joakim Noah.
Coming off the bench for the West, Houston Rockets All-Stars Dwight Howard and James Harden head to New Orleans along with fellow Texas player Dirk Nowiztki of the Dallas Mavericks. As Portland Trailblazers LaMarcus Aldridge heads to his 3rd All Star game, he won’t be alone for he is joined by teammate Damian Lillard appearing in his first All-Star game. Rounding out the West will be superstar point guards Chris Paul of the LA Clippers and Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs.
With the rosters for the Eastern and Western All-Stars set, anticipation continues to build as the more and more spots prepare to get filled for other events including the Sprite Slam Dunk contest, Foot Locker 3-Point Shootout, the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, and others. Party time is almost here for New Orleans and it can’t get here soon enough.