Andrew Lopez: New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III has been invited to the NBA dunk contest, multiple sources tell ESPN.
More on All-Star Selections
Magic Johnson: The two point guards we should be talking about for the All Star Game are De’Aaron Fox (averaging 24 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists) and Jalen Brunson (averaging 22 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists). As of today, both players have their teams in the playoffs.
"I know I've gotten better as a player, gotten more mature as a person, so I think it just takes time to evolve," Markkanen said. "Just sometimes I feel like I'm in the right place at the right time clicking with the coaching staff, system and the guys I'm surrounded with. It's a different path for everybody." Bulls guard Zach LaVine, Markkanen's former teammate in Chicago, said: "I'm just happy for him. He's 100% an All-Star in my book."
HoopsHype: Bones Hyland on if Aaron Gordon should be an All-Star: “He does the junkyard work for us and I feel like he doesn’t get a lot of praise. So definitely AG an All-Star for sure.”
Brandon Rahbar: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the possibility of being an All Star: “It would be an honor. It’s something that I know I dream about, if not every kid in the world dreams about.” PSA: All Star voting is now open. You can make SGA’s dream come true.
Rules for All-NBA voting will almost certainly change before expansion hits. As discussed when I wrote about this in March, there is a belief in some corners that the league will surrender to the players' wishes on how to make the All-NBA ballot less stringent with regard to positions like the All-Star ballot as part of negotiations on a new labor deal in exchange for something that the NBA wants.
Victor Oladipo_ See y’all next year. Good night world. 🙏🏿🙌🏿🤎
Evan Dammarell: #Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said that Jarrett Allen was unable to pause Pokemon Legends: Arceus so that’s what led to a quick conversation about him being named to the All-Star team. Allen seemed to appreciate the message and went back to playing.
Mark Giannotto: Ja Morant says he’s gunning for the All-Star game MVP. Desmond Bane makes it clear “I’m going to save my juice for Saturday” in hopes of winning the 3-point contest. Rising Stars MVP takes a backseat. Bane said he practiced before Hornets game with 3-point racks around the arc.
NBA Central: Jaylen Brown on Instagram pic.twitter.com/mazqgxJj6D
Shams Charania: Golden State rookie Jonathan Kuminga is replacing Indiana’s Chris Duarte (toe) in the NBA Rising Stars game at All-Star Weekend, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
Adam Silver: “There are a few players having outstanding seasons that could have been selected for these first two slots. The coaches pick the reserves, but we have access to all their votes, so we do look to see who the players were that were next in line in terms of coach voting. That becomes relevant. I think at the end of the day, particularly as we add All-Stars with the Commissioner’s selections, the markets become relevant. In the case of LaMelo, Charlotte was able to be represented, which they hadn’t been before he was added. I’m not going to say it’s not a factor that the All-Star Game was in Cleveland this year, but even independent of that, Jarrett Allen is having an All-Star season and there’s no doubt he deserves to be recognized.”
Allen has earned his first NBA All-Star selection. He is averaging a career-high 16.2 points, a career-high 11.1 rebounds and 1.35 blocked shots in 49 games this season.
Kyle Neubeck: James Harden is out through All-Star break (rehabilitation, left hamstring). In the interim, he will continue his treatment and on-court training. Harden will not participate in Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game and an update on his playing status will be provided following the break
Tom Moore: #Sixers Doc Rivers: James Harden ‘did everything (at first practice) - all the skeleton work. We didn’t do anything live. He’s a high-IQ guy.’
Tom Moore: #Sixers Danny Green on acclimating James Harden: ‘We play for April, May and June.’
Dejounte Murray: I Remember Sitting In The Green Room And Being Judged Cause Of My Past As A Kid And The @spurs Knew I Didn’t Have Guidance And Needed A Opportunity. I Remember Tearing My ACL And People Thought It Was Over For Me. Wow I’m Thankful And Grateful! It’s A Reality Now. Thank You God🙏🏽
Connor Letourneau: Klay Thompson went out of his way postgame to take issue with Jonathan Kuminga's exclusion from the Rising Stars Challenge, saying: "It's a travesty he's not in the Rookie-Sophomore game. That makes no sense. I don't know what the NBA was looking for."
Mark Haynes: Jonathan Kuminga on not making the Rising Stars roster: "I don't really worry about that, as long as I'm still playing and getting better every single day. When you go to the Rising Stars game it's not helping you work on your craft...I'd love to be there but they passed on me."
Rich Paul: I was told at @Dejounte Murray had background issues. He was passed up by several teams because of it, left in the green room! Today he’s an AllStar!! #TheyDontGetToDefineUs #AllGrindNoGimmicks
Jared Weiss: Jayson Tatum will replace Kevin Durant in the All-Star game starting lineup, the NBA announces.
Michael Scotto: LaMelo Ball and Dejounte Murray were named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver as injury replacements for the 2022 NBA All-Star Game. Ball replaces Kevin Durant, and Murray replaces Draymond Green. Jayson Tatum, who was selected as an All-Star reserve, replaces Durant as a starter.
Andrew Lopez: Brandon Ingram said his biggest concern right now isn’t that he wasn’t selected for the All-Star Game this year. He said he’s more worried about making the playoffs, winning and maybe making an All-NBA team.
“Personally, I think Jarrett got snubbed,” Bickerstaff said. “You look at what he’s done over the year, and there’s no real way to justify him not making it. Obviously, it’s difficult because there are a lot of talented players out there, but again, if we respect winning the way we say we respect winning, there’s no way that Jarrett Allen doesn’t make the All-Star team. I’ll speak on his behalf. I’ll obviously let you guys talk to him, but we’re extremely disappointed that he didn’t make it. But we know who Jarrett is. He’s going to continue to go out and prove people wrong and play with that chip and that edge.” Allen is averaging 16.2 points and 11.0 rebounds per game this season, which are both career highs. He’s shooting 67.4 percent from the field. Allen is one of their best interior defenders, and when paired with Evan Mobley and Lauri Markkanen for their big lineup, they dominate the paint on either end of the floor. Allen’s success this season has played a large part in the Cavs’ stunning turnaround.
“When we all sat there, and we heard DG — I think he was the second of the reserves to be named — and to not hear JA’s name, I mean, I was gutted. And gutted for him. It kind of blew my high last night,” Love said. “I’ve always said like since he’s been here, he’s been so steady for us. But yet he’s one of those guys that, we weren’t exactly competing for a playoff spot last year. And yet every time that we lost, he came in and was upset. And I looked over at that, and said, ‘That’s a guy that I want to compete with every single night.’ And like I said, he worked so hard in the offseason to get himself where he was. We all kept in touch, and he just continued to keep his head down and worked. And he got a big contract, and he’s proved that he might be underpaid. I mean, he’s an All-Star. There’s no doubt in my mind.”
On Thursday, the NBA released its All-Star reserves and Julius Randle was shut out — as expected — denying him a chance of a second straight appearance in the All-Star Game, which will take place Feb. 20 in Cleveland. “Nah,’’ Randle said when asked if he’s disappointed. “I’m trying to win games. That’s what I get paid to do, win games.” Randle missed out on a $600,000 All-Star bonus. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said Randle is treated like an All-Star considering the attention he’s paid by opposing defenses. But the coach said he didn’t get the selection from the coaching vote because of the Knicks’ 24-28 record — which currently has them out of Eastern Conference play-in round.
“In any given year, there’s always a number of guys who are deserving and don’t get it,’’ Thibodeau said. “There’s not enough spots for guys who have had All-Star type years. A big part of that is the success of the team. I know from voting it’s a tough position for coaches to be in. You get down to the end and you’re wrestling with it. You got three or four guys and two spots or one spot. You’re saying how am I going to determine who actually gets there? Usually the next criteria is what’s the impact on the team. What team is doing better.’’ Asked if Randle is playing at an All-Star level, Thibodeau said: “Yeah, when you look at all the things that he does, our team hasn’t played up to what we should be playing up to. There’s a lot of things that go into it.’’
Serena Winters: The #Cavs were on a bus en route to Charlotte when Darius Garland found out he was selected as an #AllStar reserve, said he had a lot of emotions & called his parents instantly, who were ‘bawling crying.’ “For me, being this young, having this moment, super blessed.” 💯
Jay King: Jayson Tatum said hopefully Jaylen Brown will make the All-Star team as Kevin Durant’s replacement: “I might text Adam Silver and see what we can do.”
Josh Lewenberg: Fred VanVleet, NBA all-star: “I’m just proud, humbled and honoured to be selected. Obviously you guys know how I feel about myself, and the will and the confidence that I’ve had to have over the course of my life and my career. But to be recognized like that is a special moment” pic.twitter.com/IQTOL9ouYE
Josh Lewenberg: I asked Fred if there’s a moment that stands out when he reflects on his journey. “Training camp as an undrafted rookie, staying at The Rosemont (hotel) and just literally being on my knees praying before I went to bed to make the team every night.”
Pascal Siakam: Yesssssirrrrrr!!! 🔥🔥 Congrats my dawg!!! Well deserved fam 💯🎲 #betonyourself🎲 @FredVanVleet
Brady Hawk: Tyler Herro on not being named an All Star: “My whole life I’ve been counted out of multiple All Star games through high school through college. It’s nothing new to me. I figured I wouldn’t make it. It’s all good.”
Shams Charania: 2022 NBA East All-Star reserves: Jimmy Butler, Darius Garland, James Harden, Zach LaVine, Khris Middleton, Jayson Tatum, Fred VanVleet.
What would it mean to you to see VanVleet be named an All-Star? Jerry Stackhouse: I’m not surprised by it. I think he’s gonna be an All-Star. He’s earned it. He’s making big shot after big shot. He’s leading his team. He survived all of those guys: Kyle, Cory, Delon. At the end of the day, he’s still the man standing around there. I anticipate that’s gonna be that way for years to come.
Paul Garcia: Steve Kerr says he voted for Dejounte Murray as an all-star reserve. “I think he’s an All-Star.”
Brady Hawk: Spo on his potential All-Stars: "This is probably one of the weaknesses I have as a head coach" in terms of putting his All Stars on blast "I would love to see Bam as an All Star..And I would really like to see Tyler Herro become an All Star. I think he's had an All Star year."
Tim Bontemps: Celtics coach Ime Udoka says winning plays a big part in his All-Star voting ballot. Says that guys impacting winning is something that should be rewarded, though isn’t the only thing that should be considered.
Keith Smith: Jayson Tatum on the All-Star voting: "I appreciate everyone who voted for me. I got KD, Giannis and Embiid in front of me for the next few years. That's a task I look forward to. I appreciate everyone who votes for me or buys that #0 jersey."
Josh Lewenberg: Nurse said there's been lots of texts going back and forth amongst the coaches to campaign for their players ever since the all-star starters were announced on Thursday. "It was pretty hot and heavy for a couple days... Been quiet (lately), I have to get back on it tomorrow"
Jeff McDonald: All-Star DeMar DeRozan, on the Spurs' Dejounte Murray: “He should be an All-Star. I wish their record was a lot better. There’s not too many point guards I could pick over Dejounte Murray."
Sarah Spencer: Nate McMillan on Trae Young being named an All-Star starter: "I think he deserves to be there. He’s been playing as an All-Star and they rewarded him with an opportunity to start. I think it’s great."
In his 1,419 minutes, the Warriors have a stingy 102.0 defensive rating. He’s always there, and he’s always sturdy. “Availability,” Thompson said of Wiggins. “I mean, he’s in the lineup every night. I used to be like that. Andrew is just an iron man of sorts.” Wiggins has only missed four games this season — health and safety protocols — and one game all of last season. In his eight-year career, he’s only missed 18 total games. That’s long been his most underrated quality. He’s there every night, absorbing 35 minutes at the league’s most valued position.
Connor Letourneau: Andrew Wiggins on getting named an All-Star starter: "It was mind-blowing. I was taking my pregame nap. My girl woke me up and said, 'You’re a starter! You’re a starter!' I thought I was dreaming for a second."
Anthony Slater: Steph Curry said the team’s group chat went crazy about Andrew Wiggins’ All-Star selection. Thirty minutes later, Draymond Green finally acknowledged Curry made it, too. pic.twitter.com/WuGjAIfFo2
Jon Krawczynski: KAT on Wiggins getting All-Star: "My vote was for him. ... We went to wars together out there. I just want to see him see the fruits of his labor."
Lakers forward LeBron James and Nuggets center Nikola Jokic were locks to start as Western Conference frontcourt players. Each voting faction had a different preference for the third spot: Fans: Wiggins Media: Jazz center Rudy Gobert Players: Warriors forward Draymond Green Not only did the media pick Gobert over Wiggins by a 65-4 margin, the media voted Green over Wiggins 20-4. Players also voted both Green and Gobert ahead Wiggins.
Based on a report from Alex Shultz from SFGate, the Warriors made the shrewd move to bring onboard K-Pop star BamBam earlier this year. He made a post on Instagram announcing his partnership with the team as a “Global Ambassador” and quickly got to work. The very same day, he made a post in support of Andrew Wiggins’ All-Star campaign that quickly went viral. The tweet garnered 68.1 thousand likes, 36.8k retweets and nearly three thousand quote tweets as of time of writing, which according to SFGate is the most traction any single tweet has received in support of an NBA player’s All-Star candidacy.
Tim MacMahon: Luka Doncic did not receive any media votes to be an All-Star starter. (I don’t have an official vote but agree with the selections of Steph Curry and Ja Morant.)
KC Johnson: DeRozan: "Trae is definitely an All-Star. I felt Zach should’ve been in there as well. You see it from the players’ reaction. Nothing against Trae at all. But I think that would’ve been dope to have the both of us in there as starters. No question he’ll be in there next week."
Janie McCauley: Andrew Wiggins stopped briefly after warmups to share how special this All-Star nod is to him: "It means the world. It's always been a goal of mine, I've worked hard and I'm in a situation where I was given an opportunity to be an All-Star, and I'll never take that for granted."
KC Johnson: DeMar DeRozan: “It’s always an honor. I would never take that for granted. I’m happy having my teammates help me get here. So much credit to my teammates and coaching staff.”
Tim Reynolds: Ben Simmons got two votes from players to be an All-Star starter. So did Grayson Allen.
Mark Medina: Kevin Durant will be the captain for the East All-Stars.
Shams Charania: 2022 East All-Star starters: DeMar DeRozan Trae Young Kevin Durant Joel Embiid Giannis Antetokounmpo
Trae Young: Truly Blessed🙏🏽 !! Thank you to the Fans ❤️ ALWAYS LOVE !! 2X!! Chuck eat a Twinkie and be quiet sometimes😂✌🏽
Kendra Andrews: Steve Kerr calls Wiggins’ All-Star starter selection “one of the proudest moments I’ve had as a coach.” “The journey he's traveled, it has been rocky at times. To see how hard he's worked and to see all that work rewarded, just could not be any happier for him.”
Ja Morant: Blessed & Thankful 🙏🏽 My Fans, I Appreciate You. 🖤 To Memphis, Murray State, Da Gang, Organization, Couldn't Do It Without Y'all. 🐻🐎 To MBNO, ™️ . We Got More Work To Do. Love Yall 🤞🏽
Melissa Rohlin: LeBron James will be an All-Star captain for the fifth-straight time.
Bobby Marks: Kevin Durant will earn a $1.1M bonus if he is selected to the All-Star game tonight. The bonus was considered likely before the season and does not impact the $42M salary of Durant or the Nets luxury tax bill.
Gerald Bourguet: "I just kind of laugh when I look at the All-Star voting and I see the guys ahead of him on the ticker." - Monty Williams on Devin Booker, saying he should be a starter
Gerald Bourguet: Devin Booker was asked about Monty Williams' comments that the All-Star voting was laughable. He said he's more concerned about getting Monty in as ASG coach. "I mean, I appreciate it, but I'm not worried about that anymore. I'm in a different phase in my career."
Kellan Olson: Devin Booker on potentially starting in the All-Star Game: "I'm not worried about that anymore. I'm in a different phase of my career. Like Chris said after another game, we're worried about getting coach in the All-Star Game. That's our main objective."
Chris Haynes: Sources: My @NBAonTNT report on Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant expected to sit out the All-Star Game next month in Cleveland.
Adam Zagoria: Latest NBA All-Star voting where LeBron leads everyone KD is tops among Eastern frontcourt players but is out 4-6 weeks James Harden and Kyrie are 4th and 6th among Eastern guards Klay Thompson 4th among West guards pic.twitter.com/umTiPJehBF
Kevin Love: 27/18/5!!!!!???? #DariusGarland #NBAAllStar
NBA Central: “Darius Garland deserves to be in the All-Star Game.” 👀 - Donovan Mitchell #DariusGarland #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/vtkY2Eztc6
Marc J. Spears: Second ballot of NBA All-Star voting. Ja and Luka in a battle for second West guard spot with Klay nearby. Andrew Wiggins third in West forward voting. Trae, Zach and Harden fighting for second East guard spot. pic.twitter.com/RIDYE7R0Qt
Jenner -- who's been dating D-Book since 2020 -- posted a campaign on social media Friday ... calling for everyone to get the Phoenix Suns baller a trip to Cleveland for the 2022 festivities. "y'all know i wanna see #DevinBooker play in the All-Star Game #NBAAllStar," Jenner tweeted.
Duane Rankin: Devin Booker said he tries not to think about #NBAAllStar selections as he's 5th in 1st fan voting results for Western Conference backcourt starters (2). He added that having #NBA best record should help get "three or four guys in." #Suns
Will Guillory: Willie Green on Brandon Ingram: "He's definitely an All-Star. No doubt about it. ... He's one of the best players in the NBA, in my opinion."
Shams Charania: Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Nets’ Kevin Durant lead the NBA’s first All-Star fan voting returns: pic.twitter.com/3812PFdcGb
