All-Star Saturday night certainly exceeded expectations, as we saw one of the best dunk contests ever and a highly competitive three-point shootout. Zach LaVine vs. Aaron Gordon and Stephen Curry vs. Klay Thompson was a tremendous appetizer for Sunday nights All-Star game.
The big story heading into Sunday night is the fact that it is Kobe Bryant's final All-Star game. Kobe was the leading vote getter among all NBA players and will therefore be starting for the Western Conference. Kobe hasn't had a great season, but he is a legend and most people wanted to see him have one last hoorah in this game. Kobe has said that he would be fine with just playing 10 minutes, but something tells me that he is going to be going for that MVP trophy, especially since this game is taking place in the same city against which he had his legendary 81 point game (Toronto). Bryant has already won four All-Star game MVP's, and if he were to win a fifth, it would be the most of all-time.
Kobe isn't the only storyline of this game, though, as we have a battle between Curry and LeBron James, the two players many believe are battling for the best player in the world right now. Curry has become must-see TV, and LeBron has been doing superhuman things for over a decade now, so it's always fun to see them go against each other.
Two players from the Eastern Conference team had to back out due to injuries, and they were Jimmy Butler (knee) and Chris Bosh (calf). Al Horford and Pau Gasol were named the replacements for the two injured All-Stars. John Wall wasn't sure if he would play as he, too, is dealing with a knee injury, but he has said that he will participate.
Last year, the West beat the East 163-158, and Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder took home the MVP honors with 41 points off the bench. This year, Westbrook was voted as a starter, so he is likely a good bet to take home the MVP honors again.
Here are the rosters for Sunday nights contest.
East Starters:
G: Kyle Lowry
G: Dwyane Wade
F: LeBron James
F: Carmelo Anthony
F: Paul George
East Reserves:
Jimmy Butler (Out), Chris Bosh (Out), Al Horford, Pau Gasol, DeMar DeRozan, Paul Millsap, Andre Drummond, John Wall, Isaiah Thomas.
West Starters:
G: Russell Westbrook
G: Stephen Curry
F: Kobe Bryant
F: Kawhi Leonard
F: Kevin Durant
West Reserves:
Draymond Green, James Harden, Chris Paul, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, LaMarcus Aldridge.
The festivities start at 8 p.m. Eastern time on TNT, and to watch the live broadcas,t go here. For the radio broadcast, go here. While you wait for the game, watch highlights from last years game below.
