Let the Festivities Begin: 2014 NBA All – Star Game

Photo Credit: NBA.com

By Francisco Romero

Basketball fans all over the world will have their eyes on New Orleans over the weekend.  The Big Easy will host the 2013-2014 NBA All-Star Game.

The festivities started Thursday and will go on until Sunday when the West meets the East in the All-Star Game.

The East is looking to snap a three game losing streak.  They have played very close games.  The winning margin for the West has been around four points.

As expected, Miami Heat’s LeBron James was the leading vote getter; James will be playing in his tenth All-Star game. The following is the starting line up for the East:  LeBron James (Miami Heat), Dwayne Wade (Miami Heat), Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), and Paul George (Indiana Pacers).

The West starting line up is the following:  Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans) Stephen Curry (Golden State), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers), and Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves).

Kobe Bryant was named to the All-Star team, but due to an injury he will not be able to play.  This is Kobe’s 16^th All-Star game selection.

Frank Vogel (Indiana Pacers) will be the Head Coach for the East while Scott Brooks (Oklahoma City Thunder) will be the Head Coach for the West.

The reserves on the teams

Eastern Conference:

G – DeMar DeRozan (TOR)

G – Joe Johnson (BKN)

G – John Wall (WAS)

F – Chris Bosh (MIA)

F – Paul Millsap (ATL) 

F – Joakim Noah (CHI)

C – Roy Hibbert (IND)

Western Conference:

G – James Harden (HOU)

G – Damian Lillard (POR)

G – Tony Parker (SA)

G – Chris Paul (LAC)

F – LaMarcus Aldridge (POR)

F – Dirk Nowitzki (DAL)

C – Dwight Howard (HOU) – 8^th

The Phoenix Suns will not have a representative in this edition of the All-Star game.   The last time a Sun’s player was represented the Valley of the Sun in an All-Star game was in 2012 (Steve Nash).