The NBA all but finalized its All-Star Game rosters today, naming the reserves for both the East and West squads in preparation for All-Star Weekend in Orlando on Feb. 24-26.
Among the pairings we’re most looking forward to is Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum in the same starting lineup as crosstown rivals Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, not to mention Marc Gasol getting a spot on the reserve roster before his brother Pau — who missed the team for the first time in three seasons.
Then there’s all of the Dwight Howard drama, and speculation about a possible trade of Orlando’s Superman. Should make for a fun All-Star weekend. Now if only Griffin or LeBron James would take part in the Dunk Contest.
Here’s a glimpse at when and where the All-Star activities will be held along with the starters and reserves for both squads:
NBA All-Star Game
Date: Feb. 24-26
Where: Orlando – Amway Center
Series Record: East 36, West 24
Schedule:
Friday, Feb. 24: Celebrity All-Star Game, (ESPN, 7 ET); Rising Stars Challenge, (TNT/ESPN Radio, 9 ET)
Saturday, Feb. 25: Shooting Stars, Three-Point Shootout, Taco Bell Skill Challenge, Slam Dunk Contest (TNT/ESPN Radio, 8 ET)
Sunday, Feb. 26: 2012 NBA All-Star Game, (TNT/ESPN Radio, 7 ET)
The reserves for the Feb. 26 All-Star Game were announced Thursday.
EAST ALL-STAR STARTERS
- Dwyane Wade
- Miami Heat | Guard
- Votes: 972,015
- Derrick Rose
- Chicago Bulls | Guard
- Votes: 1,040,210
- Dwight Howard
- Orlando Magic | Center
- Votes: 1,161,797
- LeBron James
- Miami Heat | Forward
- Votes: 972,580
- Carmelo Anthony
- New York Knicks | Forward
- Votes: 779,945
EAST ALL-STAR RESERVES
- Chris Bosh
- Miami Heat | Forward
- Seventh All-Star Appearance
- Luol Deng
- Chicago Bulls | Forward
- First All-Star Appearance
- Roy Hibbert
- Indiana Pacers | Center
- First All-Star Appearance
- Andre Iguodala
- Philadelphia 76ers | Forward
- First All-Star Appearance
- Joe Johnson
- Atlanta Hawks | Guard
- Sixth All-Star Appearance
- Paul Pierce
- Boston Celtics | Forward
- Tenth All-Star Appearance
- Deron Williams
- New Jersey Nets | Guard
- Third All-Star Appearance
WEST ALL-STAR STARTERS
- Kobe Bryant
- Los Angeles Lakers | Guard
- Votes: 1,110,379
- Chris Paul
- Los Angeles Clippers | Guard
- Votes: 835,026
- Andrew Bynum
- Los Angeles Lakers | Forward
- Votes: 777,365
- Blake Griffin
- Los Angeles Clippers | Forward
- Votes: 619,913
- Kevin Durant
- Oklahoma City Thunder | Forward
- Votes: 973,152
WEST ALL-STAR RESERVES
- LaMarcus Aldridge
- Portland Trail Blazers | Forward
- First All-Star Appearance
- Marc Gasol
- Memphis Grizzlies | Center
- First All-Star Appearance
- Kevin Love
- Minnesota Timberwolves | Forward
- Second All-Star Appearance
- Steve Nash
- Phoenix Suns | Guard
- Eighth All-Star Appearance
- Dirk Nowitzki
- Dallas Mavericks | Forward
- 11th All-Star Appearance
- Tony Parker
- San Antonio Spurs | Guard
- Fourth All-Star Appearance
- Russell Westbrook
- Oklahoma City Thunder | Guard
- Second All-Star Appearance
The BallHyped Sports News Service provides free quality content to sports blogs and news websites. Interested in publishing BallHyped News content on your site? Contact BallHyped at editor@ballhyped.com. Bloggers can also promote their own posts on BallHyped.com.
