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10 All-Star starters have been announced and none play for Atlanta. Fans will have to wait week to find out if any Hawks will be added to the roster.
During an announcement pre-game show by TNT, the NBA declared the starting lineups for the 2017 All-Star Game. The starting lineups consist of two guards and three frontcourt players.
The Eastern Conference All-Star starters are Kyrie Irving (fourth All-Star selection), Demar Derozan (third All-Star selection), Lebron James (13th All-Star selection), Giannis Antetokounmpo (first All-Star selection), and Jimmy Butler (third All-Star selection).
The Western Conference All-Star starters are James Harden (fifth All-Star selection), Steph Curry (fourth All-Star selection), Kevin Durant (eighth All-Star selection), Kawhi Leonard (second All-Star selection), and Anthony Davis (fourth All-Star selection).
2017 includes a significant change for All-Star starter voting. Instead of only fan votes deciding the starting unit, fan voting dropped from 100 percent to 50 percent. In an effort to keep undeserving fan favorites (sorry Zaza) for being guaranteed a spot in the All-Star game, the media and players counterbalanced the fans by receiving 25 percent of the vote.
In the East, Kyrie Irving tied in “weighted score” with Isaiah Thomas for the second guard position, but because of fan voting, Irving edged out Thomas for a starting spot.
Over in the West, James Harden and Steph Curry received the same “weighted score” as Russell Westbrook, and, like Irving, earned starting spots because of fan voting.
All-Star reserves will be announced January 26th. Voted on by coaches, expect Paul Millsap to be rewarded for his stellar play with a reserve selection. Dwight Howard could be another reserve possibility.
It remains to be seen how much of an effect, if any, player voting will have on All-Star selections. ESPN’s Chris Haynes reports that some players did not even submit a voting ballot.
NBA All-Star Weekend will be in New Orleans during the weekend of February 17-19, 2017.