J-Speaks: 2019 NBA All-Star Starters And Reserves Revealed

The past two Thursdays during the TNT “NBA Tip-Off,” presented by Autotrader, the roster for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte, NC on Feb. 17 were revealed. First the All-Star starters were announced where a four-time league MVP despite changing from the Eastern to the Western Conference was named captain via the fans, media, and player ballot while the other captain is a member of the team with the best record in the East. As for the reserves, we will have some returning faces as well as some new blood and teams who will have representation in the unofficial mid-season classic in quite some time.

West Starters

Leading off the Western Conference is four-time Kia MVP and captain for the second straight season LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, earning his 15^th consecutive All-Star selection, all as a starter.

He ties future Hall of Famer, 2008 Kia MVP and former Laker Kobe Bryant for most consecutive starts. 

Averaging 27.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.2 assists to lead the 27-25 Lakers. They were 20-14 when he played but were 6-11 in the 17 games, he missed because of a strained groin sustained in the Lakers 127-101 on Christmas Day 2018 at the Warriors on ABC. He returned on Thursday and nearly had his 18^th double-double of the season and nearly his fourth triple-double of 24 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists in leading the Lakers to a 123-120 win at the Los Angeles Clippers in overtime. 

Joining James in the front court is 2014 Kia MVP and two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors, earning his 10^th straight All-Star selection in his 12^th NBA season. 

The 2012 All-Star Game MVP and four-time regular-season scoring champion is tied for No. 4 in “The Association” in scoring at 27.6 points, with 7.2 rebounds and a career-high 5.9 assists for the 36-15 Warriors, who are essentially tied for the top spot in the West at 36-15. 

Career-highs in points, rebounds and steals help earn the 6^th All-Star selection in his eighth season is Paul George of the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

The former Pacer is tied for fourth in the league in scoring at 27.6, with as mentioned career-high averages of 27.6 points, eight boards and 2.3 steals, which leads the NBA on 45.4 percent from the field and a career-best 41.0 percent from three-point range. 

The backcourt features a couple of former Kia MVPs as well with reigning one in James Harden of the Houston Rockets earning his seventh consecutive selection and joining him is two-time Kia MVP Stephen Curry of Warriors.

Harden is leading the NBA in scoring at 36.2 and is third in assists per game this season at 8.1. He has had 31 games of at least 30 points this season and has scored 30-plus points in 25 straight games, tying the late great Wilt Chamberlin for the third longest streak of that kind in NBA history. The Rockets, who are 17-8 during Harden’s history hot steak have gone from outside the playoff line to No. 6 in the West. 

Curry is No. 2 behind Harden in scoring average this season at 29.6 and his fifth in three-point percentage this season at 45.5 percent tied his career-best set back in 2011-12. The Warriors this season are 31-9 when he is in the lineup this season and just 5-6 without him. 

West Reserves

Joining George in Charlotte for the All-Star Game is his perennial All-Star teammate, the triple-double king himself Russell Westbrook earning his 8^th selection and fifth in a row. 

While his scoring average (21.5) is the lowest since 2009-10; his field goal percentage is the lowest since 2009-10 and has shot his lowest percentage of his career from three-point range, he is averaging a triple-double for the third straight season with the aforementioned 21.5 points, a league-leading 10.9 assists and 10.9 rebounds (11^th NBA), along No. 2 in steals at 2.3 right behind George. His 18 triple-doubles lead the league and is No. 3 all-time in “The Association” with 122. 

Representing the New Orleans Pelicans will be Anthony Davis, earning his 6^th consecutive All-Star selection in his 7^th season. AD, who has been rumored to be traded next Thursday at the trade deadline is No. 3 in scoring at 29.3; No. 4 in rebounding at 13.3; and No. 2 in blocks per game at 2.6. He earned All-Star Game MVP when he scored a game record 52 points in the 2017 unofficial mid-season classic. 

Earning his first selection is center Nikola Jokic of the Western Conference leading Denver Nuggets (36-15) in his fourth season. The first Nuggets All-Star selection since perennial All-Star Carmelo Anthony in 2011. He leads the Nuggets in scoring (20.4); rebounding (10.4) and assists (7.7), which is No. 6 in the NBA. His 34 double-doubles are tied with Westbrook for No. 4 in the league, while his eight triple-doubles are tied for No. 2. 

Making his 4^th All-Star appearance, his second consecutive is lead guard for the No. 4 Seed in the West Damian Lillard of the 32-20 Portland Trail Blazers. He is No. 8 in the league in scoring at 26.4, 6.3 assists and 4.6 rebounds on a career-best 45.0 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from three-point range. He’s scored in double-figures in 192 straight games. 

The Warriors will have three All-Stars in the game for a third straight season with the selection of Klay Thompson, whose averaging 21.7 points on 46.2 percent from the field and 37.2 from three-point range this season. 

He set the NBA record for three made in a game going 14 for 24 from three-point range, scoring 52 points at the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 29, 2018. He also set the NBA record for three made without a miss with 10, scoring 44 points at the Lakers on Jan. 21. 

The No. 5 Seeded San Antonio Spurs (31-22) for the 21^st straight season will have representation at the All-Star Game with the selection of LaMarcus Aldridge, his seventh averaging 21.1 points, 8.8 rebounds on a career-high 51.4 percent shooting. He scored a career-high 56 points on 20 for 33 shooting and 16 for 16 from the free throw line in the Spurs 154-147 double-overtime win versus the Thunder. 

Being selected for the second straight season from the Minnesota Timberwolves (25-26) is Karl-Anthony Towns in his fourth season with team-leading averages of 22.6 points, 12.1 rebounds (9^th NBA) and 1.9 blocks (9^th NBA) on 49.8 percent from the field, 37.6 three-point percentage. He has started every game in his four seasons career. 

East Starters

Earning his third straight All-Star selection is the Conference’s leading vote-getter and second captain Giannis Antetokounmpo of the No. 1 Seeded Milwaukee Bucks, who at 37-13 are 24 games over .500 for the first time since Apr. 13, 1986. “The Greek Freak” having another stellar season with career-highs in scoring at 26.4 (9^th NBA); tied for No. 6 in rebounds at 12.6; a team-leading 5.9 assists, 1.5 steals on 57.3 percent shooting. His 16 games of 25 points, 10 boards and five assists lead the NBA. 

After playing in just nine games a season ago because of injury, Kawhi Leonard of the No. 2 Seeded Toronto Raptors (37-16) earned his third All-Star selection in his eighth season, averaging a career-highs 27.6 points (T-4^th NBA) 7.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals on 49.9 percent from the field and 36.8 from three-point range. He has scored 30 or more 15 times this season and had a streak of 22 straight games scoring 20 or more, which was not only a career-best, but fell one shy of tying the franchise record held by Vince Carter in the 2000-01 season. That streak by Leonard includes a career-high of 45 points on 16 for 22 from the field and 13 for 17 from the free throw line versus the Utah Jazz on Jan. 1, a 122-116 win. 

Joel Embiid of the No. 3 Seeded Philadelphia 76ers (34-18) was chosen as an All-Star for the second straight season. He is No. 7 in scoring in the league at 27.2; No. 3 in rebounding at 13.4 and No. 8 in blocks at 1.9. His 42 double-doubles are tied with center Rudy Gobert of the Jazz for No. 1 in the NBA. He has authored 22 games this season of 30 points or more. 

Starting lead guard of the No. 4 Seeded Boston Celtics (33-19) Kyrie Irving was selected as an All-Star for the 6^th time in his career. He is averaging a team-leading 23.6 points; career-highs of 6.9 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals, on 49.7 percent from the field and 41.2 from three-point range. His 11 double-doubles this season are also a career-high and he has had 10 games of registering at least 10 assists this season after producing one such game all last season with the C’s.

Joining Irving in the backcourt earning his 3^rd straight All-Star selection, first as a starter will be the unofficial mayor of the 2019 All-Star weekend in Charlotte Hornets’ starting lead guard Kemba Walker. He is averaging a career-best 24.4 points along with a team-leading 5.5 assists on 35.7 percent from three-point range for the No. 7 Seeded Hornets at 25-26. Walker has had 13 games this season where he has scored at least 30 points. 

East Reserves

While he earned his second straight All-Star appearance as voted by the coaches, Indiana Pacers (32-19, No. 5 East) starting shooting guard Victor Oladipo, who leads the team in scoring (18.8) and steals (1.7), while ranking second in assists (5.2) will not be available due to season-ending surgery on his ruptured quadriceps tendon in his right knee, that he sustained on Jan. 23 versus the Raptors. The Pacers were 25-11 with him and are now 7-8 without him. 

Taking the place of Oladipo, chosen by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will be starting guard for the East’s No. 6 Seed the Brooklyn Nets (28-25) D’Angelo Russell, his first All-Star selection. 

Russell, the No. 2 overall pick in 2015 is averaging career-highs of 19.6 points and 6.4 assists on 37.4 percent from three-point range, making a career-high 140 of them so far this season. He is the Nets’ first All-Star selection since Joe Johnson represented the team in the 2013-14

After not making the All-Star team in his first eight seasons, Raptors starting lead guard Kyle Lowry earned his fifth consecutive All-Star appearance in his 13^th season in the league. He is averaging 14.1 points, 9.2 assists (2^nd NBA) and 4.5 rebounds. 

Blake Griffin of the Detroit Pistons (22-28) earned his sixth All-Star selection, his first since 2015. His 26.2 scoring average, which is a career-high is No. 10 in the NBA, while ranking second on the Pistons in rebounding at 8.1 and leading them in assists at 5.3 on 47.5 percent from the field and 36.2 from three-point range. 

Joining Antetokounmpo in Charlotte for this All-Star game will be his teammate Khris Middleton, earning his first All-Star selection. 

This will be the first time since the 2001 contest in Washington, DC where Hall of Famer Ray Allen and Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson represented the Bucks that game where they will have two players representing them. 

Middleton, the No. 39 overall pick in 2012 who was traded to the Bucks from the Pistons on July 31, 2013 is averaging 17.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Bucks are all career-highs, on 37.8 from three-point range. 

“I was trying not to pay too much attention to it,” Middleton said to TNT’s Kristen Ledlow after the Bucks 105-92 win at the Raptors about being selected as an All-Star for first time. “I wanted to focus on this game as much as I can. It was a big game for us.” 

“Once I heard the new, got some phone calls from some family and friends, you know. It was good. It was a good feeling but I know I still want to do a lot more things.”

Also having double representation for the first time in many years will be the 76ers as Ben Simmons will be making the first of hopefully many appearances. 

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 draft is averaging 16.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 8.1 assists (4^th NBA). 

This will mark the first time since 2002 All-Star Game that the 76ers will have multiple All-Stars since they hosted the game in the city of “Brotherly Love” in 2002 when Hall of Famers Allen Iverson and Dikembe Mutombo made the team. 

Representing the Washington Wizards (22-29) in Charlotte will be Bradley Beal, being selected for the second straight time in his 7^th season. 

The No. 3 overall pick out of the University of Florida is leading the team with a career-high of 24.7 points and a career-highs of 5.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists on 46.8 percent from the floor and 35.4 from three-point range. His 41 games scoring 20 or more this season lead the East. His six double-doubles are more than the five he had combined the last two seasons and both of his triple-doubles have also occurred this season, where he scored 40 and 43 points on those occasions. 

Also earning his first All-Star selection in his eighth season is starting center for the Orlando Magic (21-31) Nikola Vucevic. 

The first Magic All-Star since Dwight Howard in 2012 leads them in scoring at 20.6, which is a career-best. His 12.0 rebounds per game, which is also a career-high is ranked No. 10 in the league. He is shooting 52.1 percent from the field this season, the second highest of his career and is shooting 37.8 percent from three-point range, which is a career-best as well. To put how Vucevic has elevated himself as a three-point threat, he made 64 triples a season ago. He’s made 59 so far this season. 

“A great night, one of the best nights, obviously, that I’ve had in my professional career,” Vucevic said on NBA.com. “It’s an amazing feeling being selected as an All-Star.” 

“Obviously I made it, but my team helped me so much get to this level this season. My teammates believed in me all year long and the new coaching staff pushed me every day to play even better. Once I started the season well, they all got behind me and kept pushing me to play even better.”

The teams will for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game will be selected via a televised draft by the captains Antetokounmpo and James scheduled for this Thursday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. on TNT. 

The All-Star Game at Spectrum Center from Charlotte, NC will be played on Sunday, Feb. 17 with live coverage beginning at 8 p.m. also on TNT. 

Information, statistics, and quotations are courtesy of 1/24/19 and 1/31/19 7 p.m. TNT’s “NBA Tip-Off,” presented by Autotrader, “All-Star Starters Revealed,” with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal; 1/31/19 8 p.m. “Milwaukee Bucks versus Toronto Raptors,” on TNT, presented by State Farm with Kevin Harlan, Chris Webber and Kristen Ledlow; 2/2/19 www.espn.com story, “Nets’ D’Angelo Russell to Replace Pacers’ Victory Oladipo in All-Star Game;” statistics of all 24 All-Stars from www.espn.com/nba/teams/stats and www.espn.com/nba/player/stats; www.espn.com/nba/standings; www.espn.com/nba/statistics; www.nba.com/games/20190202/BKNORL#/preview;  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khris_Middleton#Milwaukee_Bucks_(2013-present); https://en.m.wikiepdia.org/wiki/2001_NBA_All-Star_Game; and https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_NBA_All-Star_Game.