The Eastern Conference All-Star reserves will include three players from the conference-leading Atlanta Hawks.
Al Horford, Paul Millsap, and Jeff Teague are among the reserves. The Hawks have no starters.
“I feel honored to represent the Hawks and the city of Atlanta again,” Horford said in a statement. “I want to give credit to our coaches and my teammates, as I know I wouldn’t be in this position without their support. I look forward to enjoying the time in New York and being a part of All-Star.”
“It’s a privilege to be an All-Star for the second straight year,” Millsap said. “I know the success our team has had so far this season is a major factor, so my teammates and coaches are the reason that I have this opportunity. I’m proud to be representing them in New York.”
The key omission from Atlanta is sharpshooter Kyle Korver, who some give the most credit for the outstanding year the Hawks are having so far.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, Chicago Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat big man Chris Bosh, and Heat guard Dwyane Wade are the other reserves.
Wade is injured so he may be replaced.
Butler apperciates his spot but hinted he’d like to get a championship more.
“I think there are bigger goals than the All-Star team that I would like to accomplish,” he told NBA.com.
Notable players who didn’t get a reserve spot include Brandon Knight of the Milwaukee Bucks, Nene of the Washington Wizards, and Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets.
The starters were announced last week. For the East, they are John Wall of the Washington Wizards, Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors, Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, LeBron James of the Cavs, and Pau Gasol of the Chicago Bulls.
The reserves were debated by TNT analysts Charles Barkley, Shaq, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith after the announcement, which happened through the broadcaster.
Barkley said that Korver should of made it, and Brandon Jennings of the Detroit Pistons should have as well. The latter recently suffered an injury and is out for the year.
“Dwyane Wade is not having an All-Star year,” he said.
Jennings himself said on Twitter that Knight of the Bucks should have made it.
Shaq said that Marcin Gortat of the Wizards should of made it, because the Wizards “are having a great year” and Gortat is “a vital part of that.” He also believed Bradley Beal of the Wizards should have made it.
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