NBA All-Star Game Starters Announced
The 2015 NBA All-Star Game starters have been announced. And the fans have definitely spoken out loud about the stars they want to see February 15 in New York City's Madison Square Garden.
Hoop fans made Stephen Curry the top vote-getter over LeBron James by 42,000 ballots. Curry, who received a total of just over 1.5 million votes, was honored to be the leading vote-getter.
"This means a lot; it's something that I don't take for granted," Curry said in a statement to ESPN. "To have support of fans not only in the Bay Area but across the nation and across the world, supporting not only myself but our team, it means a lot. I want to represent the Warriors the best way I know how, every single game, and will do that proudly in New York thanks to the fans and their votes. Something that's definitely a dream come true, and to be two times in a row, I'm proud of that."
Curry's Western Conference backcourt mate is Kobe Bryant, although he will most likely not be able to play due to his reported torn rotator cuff. The Western Conference's frontcourt will be Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, New Orleans Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis and Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin.
Starting with James in the Eastern Conference will be Washington Wizards guard John Wall and Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry, who passed Dwyane Wade in votes during the final days of voting. That Wall-Lowry backcourt also marks the first time that the East has two first-time starters in their backcourt since 2000. Rounding out the East's starters will be New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony and Chicago Bulls power forward Pau Gasol. The Gasol brothers are the first brothers to be voted to start the All-Star game.
"Knowing that I will be facing my brother, Pau, for the opening tip, it will be a true accomplishment for our family and a memory I will cherish for the rest of my career," Marc Gasol said in a statement through the Grizzlies, as reported by ESPN. "It holds special meaning to be voted in by the fans, and I look forward to representing my teammates, the organization, the city of Memphis and entire Mid-South community and Grizzlies fans across the world."
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(Photos from left: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images, Christian Petersen/Getty Images, Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)