NBA All-Star Rosters 2015: TV Schedule, Predictions for East vs. West Reserves
The NBA All-Star Game is one of the biggest celebrations of the year, and the 2015 edition will feature the best players from the Eastern Conference squaring off against the top names from the Western Conference.
With both teams boasting stacked starting lineups and each conference having immense talent and depth, the reserves for each side should help make this one of the deepest All-Star Games in recent memory.
Here is all the vital viewing information for the 2015 NBA All-Star Game, the announced starting lineups and the predictions for the East and West reserves to be named tonight.
Where: Madison Square Garden
When: Sunday, Feb. 15
Start Time: 7 p.m. ET
Watch: TNT
| G - Kyle Lowry | Toronto Raptors |
| G - John Wall | Washington Wizards |
| FC - LeBron James | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| FC - Carmelo Anthony | New York Knicks |
| FC - Pau Gasol | Chicago Bulls |
| G - Jimmy Butler | Chicago Bulls |
| G - Dwyane Wade | Miami Heat |
| G - Jeff Teague | Atlanta Hawks |
| G - Kyrie Irving | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| FC - Chris Bosh | Miami Heat |
| FC - Al Horford | Atlanta Hawks |
| FC - Paul Millsap | Atlanta Hawks |
| G - Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors |
| G - Kobe Bryant (injured) | L.A. Lakers |
| FC - Blake Griffin | L.A. Clippers |
| FC - Marc Gasol | Memphis Grizzlies |
| FC - Anthony Davis | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G - James Harden | Houston Rockets |
| G - Chris Paul | L.A. Clippers |
| G - Russell Westbrook | Oklahoma City Thunder |
| G - Klay Thompson | Golden State Warriors |
| G - Damian Lillard (injury replacement) | Portland Trail Blazers |
| FC - DeMarcus Cousins | Sacramento Kings |
| FC - LaMarcus Aldridge | Portland Trail Blazers |
| FC - Kevin Durant | Oklahoma City Thunder |
Player Who Must Be a Reserve: DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
One player who doesn’t get nearly enough credit for his play on the court is Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins. Issues with his attitude have influenced perceptions of him, but there is no discounting his natural ability.
Cousins has blossomed as a top player in the league this season, averaging 23.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 blocks per game. While the lack of success for Sacramento will be a strike against him, the statistics are All-Star-worthy.
Even Fox40 News' chief meteorologist, Kristina Werner, is angry at the possibility of Cousins being a snub:
When asked about Cousins’ growth as a player and as a man, Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers told Antonio Gonzalez of Yahoo.com, “He's grown up emotionally. His game has grown up. I think he's the best low-post player in the league, and he's doing it every night. He's doing more than just scoring. He's doing everything. I'm just very proud of him.”
At just 24 years old, it’s hard to forget that Cousins has grown up in the NBA. It’s not easy to be a young player in a man’s league, and the learning curve was different for the fourth-year player. Despite the adversity, he has emerged as a viable star and a polarizing character.
The Kings currently stand fourth in the Pacific Division and have a 16-27 overall record. Voters can point to the team’s struggles as a reason not to vote for Cousins, but when a player like the injured Kobe Bryant makes the team, there is no real excuse to exclude the center.
If there is any justice in the NBA, Cousins will get the votes he needs to be a reserve in the game. With his newfound approach, it will be exciting to see Cousins pulling down rebounds against some of the best in the league.
Stats via NBA.com.
