NBA announces 2014 All-Star Game starters, led by LeBron James and Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant (left) and LeBron James (right) lead the way for the 2014 All-Star rosters. (Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images)
The NBA announced the starting lineups for the 2014 All-Star Game on Thursday, with Heat forward LeBron James and Thunder forward Kevin Durant standing as the leading vote-getters in their respective conferences.
James will be joined in the Eastern Conference's starting lineup by Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving, Heat guard Dwyane Wade, Pacers forward Paul George and Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony.
Durant will be joined in the Western Conference's starting lineup by Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, Clippers forward Blake Griffin, and Timberwolves forward Kevin Love.
Irving, George, Curry and Love will all be making their first All-Star Game starting lineup appearances.
Irving claimed a spot that was held by Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, who has been sidelined for most of the season due to injury. George moved into the spot held by then-Celtics forward/center Kevin Garnett last season, who has struggled so far this year with the Nets.
Curry supplanted Clippers guard Chris Paul, who is sidelined with a separated shoulder. Love moved past Rockets center Dwight Howard, who was tracking towards a starting selection in the third round of fan voting.
James was the overall leading vote-getter with more than 1.4 million votes. George also topped 1.2 million votes.
Durant received nearly 1.4 million votes to lead the West. Curry received more than 1 million votes, tops among Western Conference backcourt players.
Mahoney: Picking 2014 All-Star Game Starters
The All-Star Game's starting lineups are determined by a fan vote. Fans are able to select two "backcourt" players and three "frontcourt" players for each conference. Coaches from each conference will vote to fill out the reserve units.
Bryant was voted into the starting lineup despite playing just six games this season due to Achilles and knee injuries. If he is unable to play in the All-Star Game, the NBA league office will appoint a replacement player for the West's roster, and the West's coach will get to select who fills Bryant's starting lineup spot.
The 2014 All-Star Game is set for Sunday, Feb. 16 in New Orleans.
The final All-Star voting tallies are below.
Eastern Conference
Frontcourt
1. LeBron James (Mia) 1,416,419
2. Paul George (Ind) 1,211,318
3. Carmelo Anthony (NYK) 935,702
4. Roy Hibbert (Ind) 524,809
5. Chris Bosh (Mia) 406,867
6. Kevin Garnett (Bkn) 209,398
7. Joakim Noah (Chi) 181,145
8. Andre Drummond (Det) 163,798
9. Tyson Chandler (NYK) 137,512
10. Luol Deng (Cle) 121,754
11. Jeff Green (Bos) 121,040
12. Carlos Boozer (Chi) 103,502
13. David West (Ind) 95,363
14. Paul Pierce (Bkn) 95,034
15. Josh Smith (Det) 75,433
Backcourt
1. Dwyane Wade (Mia) 929,542
2. Kyrie Irving (Cle) 860,221
3. John Wall (Was) 393,129
4. Derrick Rose (Chi) 359,546
5. Ray Allen (Mia) 250,909
6. Rajon Rondo (Bos) 174,654
7. Lance Stephenson (Ind) 148,382
8. DeMar DeRozan (Tor) 131,228
9. George Hill (Ind) 129,533
10. Deron Williams (Bkn) 126,423
Western Conference
Frontcourt
1. Kevin Durant (OKC) 1,396,294
2. Blake Griffin (LAC) 688,466
3. Kevin Love (Min) 661,246
4. Dwight Howard (Hou) 653,318
5. LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 609,172
6. Tim Duncan (SA) 492,657
7. Anthony Davis (NO) 286,247
8. Andre Iguodala (GS) 266,611
9. DeMarcus Cousins (Sac) 255,005
10. Pau Gasol (LAL) 247,323
11. David Lee (GS) 232,210
12. Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 201,873
13. Chandler Parsons (Hou) 174,512
14. Omer Asik (Hou) 130,344
15. Andrew Bogut (GS) 127,947
Backcourt
1. Stephen Curry (GS) 1,047,281
2. Kobe Bryant (LAL) 988,884
3. Chris Paul (LAC) 804,309
4. Jeremy Lin (Hou) 628,818
5. James Harden (Hou) 470,381
6. Russell Westbrook (OKC) 317,338
7. Damian Lillard (Por) 280,966
8. Tony Parker (SA) 258,751
9. Klay Thompson (GS) 162,984
