One week after the starters were announced, the NBA on Thursday will reveal the reserves for the Feb. 19 All-Star Game in New Orleans.
The additions, as selected by coaches in their respective conferences, include two backcourt players, three frontcourt players and two wild cards, regardless of position.
The following is our list of the 14 players we feel are most deserving, beginning with the Western Conference:
BACKCOURT:
Russell Westbrook (Thunder), Klay Thompson (Warriors).
Westbrook may be the most exciting player in the league, and he is willing Oklahoma City into the playoffs. Thompson is choice No. 2, largely because Chris Paul -- who would have been No. 2 -- is injured and unavailable. It's conceivable that Paul will be named to the team, only to have commissioner Adam Silver later announce Thompson as the replacement.
FRONTCOURT:
Draymond Green (Warriors), DeMarcus Cousins (Kings), Gordon Hayward (Jazz).
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Green is the most indispensible player on the league's best team. Cousins, who has added a respectable 3-point shot, is putting up strong offensive numbers almost across the board. Starters Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard are the only two small forwards in the West having clearly better seasons than Hayward.
WILD CARDS:
Marc Gasol (Grizzlies), Rudy Gobert (Jazz).
Gasol is the man most responsible for Memphis surviving a multitude of injuries to remain in solid playoff position. Even with Green's remarkable defense, Gobert has been the most impactful defensive player in the league and deserves credit for Utah being on pace to win 50 games.
LAST MAN CUT:
Tie: Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum (Trail Blazers). Too many losses in Portland.
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EASTERN CONFERENCE
BACKCOURT:
Kyle Lowry (Raptors), Isaiah Thomas (Celtics).
After a slow start, Lowry over the past two months has been as good as any guard in the East. Thomas has found a home and it shows; no one is more comfortable at crunch time, when he often lifts Boston to victory.
FRONTCOURT:
Paul Millsap (Hawks), Kevin Love (Cavaliers), Paul George (Pacers).
Millsap is Top-10 in Real Plus-Minus and easily the best player on a top-four team in the East. Love is a 20-10 guy for the best team in the East and perfect for an All-Star Game. George is a top-10 player because he is a two-way marvel.
WILD CARDS:
John Wall (Wizards), Kemba Walker (Hornets)
Three point guards have more than 25 double-doubles, and Wall is the only one not being mentioned as an MVP candidate. Walker is the Lillard of the East, victimized by multiple snubs. Give him his due.
No need to inform us we have four point guards here. Each of them is richly deserving of being in New Orleans.
LAST MAN CUT:
Joel Embiid (76ers). A wonderful debut half-season, but he should have many more All-Star opportunities.
The All-Star reserves for both conferences will be announced Thursday at 4 p.m. Pacific.
