The starting lineups for the NBA’s 70th All-Star Game, set to take place on March 7th, 2021 in Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, have been announced. Here are the players who just barely missed the cut from each conference’s starting 5.
One of the NBA’s most storied occasions, the 2021 NBA All-Star Game is all-but ready to go. The fans, the media, and the players have spoken, and the 5 starters for each conference are set.
The Eastern Conference @NBAAllStar Starters Pool!@KDTrey5 (Captain)@Giannis_An34@JoelEmbiid@RealDealBeal23@KyrieIrving#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/BBozyd2NhK
— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2021
In the East, Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant was named captain, flanked by teammate Kyrie Irving. Joel Embiid (PHI), Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), and Bradley Beal (WAS) round out the NBA’s Eastern Conference starters pool.
The Western Conference @NBAAllStar Starters Pool!@KingJames (Captain)@StephenCurry30@luka7doncic
— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2021
Nikola Jokic
Kawhi Leonard#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/ojxfaZwHuj
As for the NBA’s Western Conference, All-Star Game staple, and captain, LeBron James (LAL) makes his 17th appearance. He is joined by Stephen Curry (GSW), Luka Doncic (DAL), Nikola Jokic (DEN), and Kawhi Leonard (LAC), who fill the remaining 4 spots on the West’s starters pool.
Yet no All-Star game selections are without flaw, something that becomes an annual slug-fest amongst the NBA’s fanbase and media outlets. Each team campaigns for their biggest-names to make the heralded 15-man roster, especially the starting 5.
While it would be nice to give more players the honor of All-Star Starter, there can only be 5 for each conference. So, who amongst the NBA’s seemingly larger-than ever pool of talent deserved to make the starting 5 for their respective conference?