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LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo now know who will join them on the playground for what is the 2023 version of the NBA All-Star Game – and it might not be Joel Embiid, despite the Sixers centre leading the League MVP race.
He was only good enough for the reserves list, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also relegated to the second string, prompting Aussie rookie Josh Giddey to declare on Twitter that his Oklahoma City Thunder teammate was ‘robbed’ of a starting spot.
James Harden, Embiid’s teammate, was cut altogether from the list, with the nine-time All Star posting a message on his Instagram story that simply read ‘The disrespect’.
The league announced 14 reserves – seven from each conference – who will join the previously announced starters that will suit up for either Team James or Team Giannis on February 20 in Salt Lake City.
The team captains will pick their rosters playground-style just before tipoff when the captains can select any player.
The reserves from the Eastern Conference are Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics), DeMar DeRozan (Chicago Bulls), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks), Julius Randle (New York Knicks) and Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers) – the latter considered a frontrunner for league MVP but not an All-Star starter.
The East’s starters are Brooklyn Nets teammates Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Boston’s Jayson Tatum, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell and Milwaukee’s Antetokounmpo.
The Western Conference reserves are Paul George (Los Angeles Clippers), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers), Lauri Markkanen (Utah Jazz), Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings) and Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies.
The West’s starters are the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic, the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, the New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson, the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry and the Los Angeles Lakers’ James.
The reserves were selected by the 30 NBA coaches, who voted for two guards, three frontcourt players and two players at any position in their conference.
The rosters could add more players as replacements if any All-Stars are injured.
Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City will host the celebrity game and Rising Stars game on February 18, and the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest on February 19.
© AAP
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