NBA: Embiid, Morant named All-Star reserves
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Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant and Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid will headline the reserves for the All-Star Game on Feb 19.
PHOTO: AFP
LOS ANGELES – LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo now know who will join them on the playground for what is the 2023 version of the National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Game.
The league announced the 14 reserves – seven from each conference – who will join the starters for either Team LeBron or Team Giannis in Salt Lake City on Feb 19.
The captains will pick their rosters playground-style just before tip-off. The draft will start at 7.30pm and the captains can select any player. In previous editions since the game adopted the captains’ pick format, the draft was a virtual selection made before the All-Star weekend.
Philadelphia 76ers centre Joel Embiid and Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant headlined the reserves announced on Thursday.
Embiid was joined by Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, Miami Heat centre Bam Adebayo, Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday, Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan, New York Knicks forward Julius Randle and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton as reserves from the Eastern Conference.
The East’s starters are Milwaukee’s Antetokounmpo, Brooklyn Nets teammates Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell.
“Every single year, starter or not, I’m competitive,” Embiid said, as quoted by The Washington Post. “Obviously, you want to be the best. I felt like I put myself in position to be up there and the best.”
DeRozan was also thrilled with the selection. He said: “It’s everything. I just hope anybody out there, whatever field you work in, never listens to the outside noise, to people doubting you, counting you out, everything.
“As long as you’re true to yourself, believe in yourself, you keep putting in the work with a genuine heart and genuine passion, you’ll be rewarded.”
In the West, Morant was joined by Memphis teammate forward Jaren Jackson Jr., Sacramento Kings centre Domantas Sabonis, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen.
The starters are Los Angeles Lakers’ James, Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic, Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, New Orleans Pelicans’ Zion Williamson and Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry.
“It means a lot,” Morant said. “Obviously, it shows my work that I’ve put in day in and day out. Hopefully, Jaren gets picked on the same team as me.”
The reserves were selected by the 30 NBA coaches, who voted for two guards, three front-court players and two players of any position in their conference.
Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City will host the celebrity and rising stars games on Feb 17, and the skills challenge, three-point contest and slam dunk event on Feb 18. AFP, REUTERS
