NBA All-Star Game 2016: Eastern, Western Conference Rosters and Players to Watch
The Western Conference roster looks to be built for a win in Sunday's NBA All-Star Game. Most years, defense is an afterthought in the showcase, and there's no reason to believe this year's game will be any different.
That style is custom-built for the West and all its three-point bombers.
However, any team with the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James has a shot to win, but the East's chances don't look very good.
Here's a look at both rosters:
| 23 | LeBron James (Cavaliers) | F |
| 13 | Paul George (Pacers) | F |
| 7 | Carmelo Anthony (Knicks) | F |
| 3 | Dwyane Wade (Heat) | G |
| 7 | Kyle Lowry (Raptors) | G |
| 21 | Jimmy Butler (Bulls) | G-F |
| 10 | DeMar DeRozan (Raptors) | G |
| 4 | Paul Millsap (Hawks) | F |
| 0 | Andre Drummond (Pistons) | C |
| 1 | Chris Bosh (Heat) | F |
| 2 | John Wall (Wizards) | G |
| 4 | Isaiah Thomas (Celtics) | G |
| 24 | Kobe Bryant (Lakers) | F-G |
| 35 | Kevin Durant (Thunder) | F |
| 2 | Kawhi Leonard (Spurs) | F |
| 30 | Stephen Curry (Warriors) | G |
| 0 | Russell Westbrook (Thunder) | G |
| 23 | Draymond Green (Warriors) | F |
| 13 | James Harden (Rockets) | G |
| 3 | Chris Paul (Clippers) | G |
| 11 | Klay Thompson (Warriors) | G |
| 23 | Anthony Davis (Pelicans) | F-C |
| 5 | DeMarcus Cousins (Kings) | C-F |
| 12 | LaMarcus Aldridge (Spurs) | F |
MVP Candidates
LeBron James
If the Eastern Conference pulls off the win, it seems James might need to take it upon himself to prove that he's still the game's best all-around player. In his career, James has averaged 25.2 points per game in the All-Star Game.
He's won the MVP twice, though it's been eight years since he last captured the award. With the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry beginning to be recognized as the game's best player in some circles, James may decide to prove he's still the man in the league's All-Star showcase.
James is capable of shining on both ends of the floor. If he pulls off a timely chase-down block and combines it with a high-scoring performance and a handful of assists, James could be the catalyst for an unlikely Eastern Conference win.
Stephen Curry
It's easy to tab Curry as the MVP of just about any contest he's in. If he catches fire from long range, Curry could shoot the West to a huge lead and a victory.
We've seen Curry answer every challenge he's received all season. Curry has played six games against All-Star point guards this season, and he's averaging 44.5 points per game in those contests. Basketball Forever highlighted one of those matchups:
That's amazing production in head-to-head matchups with the game's best players at his position.
Everyone of those point guards had to be hellbent on shutting Curry down, but they couldn't do it. Never count Curry out.
Klay Thompson
Call it a sleeper pick, but Klay Thompson is the prediction to win the All-Star Game MVP in 2016.
Thompson had 45 points on January 28 against the Dallas Mavericks and 27 points in the third quarter against the Phoenix Suns on December 17—he had 43 points that night. If the second Splash Brother gets hot, he's capable of scoring binges that can steal the show.
Expect him to do just that on Sunday in Toronto.
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