Cavaliers guard Darius Garland and Raptors guard Fred VanVleet were chosen for the All-Star Game for the first time in their respective careers. They were named, along with a handful of other players, to the Eastern Conference All-Star reserve pool on Thursday, per the NBA (Twitter link).
Garland is averaging 19.8 PPG and 8.2 APG for the surprising Cavaliers. VanVleet has posted averages of 21.5 PPG and 7.0 APG this season.
The list of Eastern Conference reserves also includes the Nets’ James Harden, the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, the Bulls’ Zach LaVine, the Bucks’ Khris Middleton and the Heat‘s Jimmy Butler. The reserves were chosen by the league’s coaches.
Garland will be playing in front of his home fans in Cleveland on February 20.
The pool of Eastern Conference starters was announced a week ago. Sixers center Joel Embiid, Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nets forward Kevin Durant are the frontcourt starters, while the backcourt players in the starter pool are DeMar DeRozan (Bulls) and Trae Young (Hawks).
Allen was ROBBED! hopefully he gets in as durant’s replacement
I would have loved to seen Miles Bridges in the all-star game, he’ll definitely be there next season
LaMelo Ball??
I feel like Lamelo got his spot taken by Darius because the Cavs are playing so good and the all star game is in Cleveland, charlottes front office needs to give melo a real center and that dude is goin to the moon
Darius Garland deserves to be an all star though don’t sleep
Who said he didn’t?
Oddly, parx did, sorta.
I would take Lamelo over Lavine link to stathead.com
onoffs are similar, but careerwise, Ball got to plusses sooner.
I agree on Lamelo over Lavine. Lavine overrated IMO. Lots of sizzle, less steak.
Lavine had far poorer teams around him than LaMelo, who arrived at just the right time to excel immediately. A fair point, however, you pick based upon current performance and Lavine’s game is now excellent, even on defense.
I was thinking Melo and Sabonis had a chance. Middleton has had better seasons and Butler missed a ton of time.
Ben Simmons is clearly having a better season than Garland. Freaking hosed. Dude hasn’t missed a single shot all season idk how you can even argue against that.
Doc Rivers clearly used his influence to blackball the poor guy.
Hasn’t given up Jack on defense either. That’s way more impressive than his offensive output. Give him DPOY right effing now!
I have him leading the MVP race and DPOY. There are dozens of sculptors and construction crews working round the clock to carve out his likeness on the NBAs Mount Rushmore.
I remember hoping that Danny Ainge would draft the guard from Wichita St in the 2nd round of the 2016 draft. When he took Abdel Nader I had to take a few deep breaths and count to ten to prevent myself from punching the wall. I’m still amazed that VanVleet went undrafted.
Nader was actually the second best of 8 picks that year… not good by Ainge… he tends to pick teases, which is worse than quick fails bc teases demand some minutes first.
As a Bulls fan, congrats to LaVine and DD!!
Actually, I really pretty much agree with the entire Eastern roster. Well, my only exception would be that the Hornets should have someone representing them in the ASG. Whether it is Bridges or LaMelo, either or are both pretty deserving to get in.
As much as it pains me, I’d probably have to take out either VV or Butler, even though Miami definitely deserves to he represented as well. Plus, EVERYONE knows come playoff time, that’s when the real stars do work, and that is when Jimmy Big Time Buckets takes over and flips his Beast Mode switch on!! lol
Tatum is an overrated bum
Tatum is averaging 26pts. Straight bum.
Jarret allen over tatum…
Goes to show how ‘stronger’ the East is now.
More than a few who would’ve, should’ve made it e.g. Allen, Jrue, Bridges, Lamelo, Herro, Sabonis
Players that earned their spot & should be there…
Siakam, LaMelo, Allen & Sabonis!
Overall D. Murray, LaMelo & Sabonis have been robbed, probably the biggest snubs in many years, I just can’t believe how inept selectors can be to left out these 3 dudes, that truth be told should have been starters!!!
Interesting….
Timberpuppies had:
LeVine & traded him away
FOR
Butler & then traded him away
SURE, they know what they are doing up there in Minnesota….LOL
Garland deserves it. His Team is 31-21 at this point. When Vegas had them winning 26.5 gms for the year. He is their true leader. He plays both ways and is a true PG.
VanVleet is also having a solid year. You might make a case here. But he’s been consistent all yr. And you can’t choose everyone
link to vegasinsider.com
I would have liked to see Dejounte get a spot, but I like and understand these selections.