The 2013 NBA All-Star reserves were announced Thursday, and while there will always be a few players who fans will argue should have made it, it’s tough to disagree with the ones the coaches selected.
In the Western Conference, Tony Parker, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden were the guards selected, and big men Tim Duncan, Zach Randolph, LaMarcus Aldridge, and David Lee were the ones seen as most deserving.
For Duncan, this marked his 14th career All-Star selection. Randolph, Aldridge, and Lee each made it for the second time in their respective careers.
Notable names absent are Stephen Curry, Marc Gasol, Jamal Crawford, and Serge Ibaka, with Curry having the best case of those left off the list.
In the Eastern Conference, Kyrie Irving, Paul George, Jrue Holiday, Tyson Chandler, and Joakim Noah all will be making their first career All-Star appearance. Chris Bosh and Luol Deng round out the roster.
The players who were in the conversation in the East but who were ultimately left out include Brook Lopez, Paul Pierce, Carlos Boozer, Brandon Jennings, and J.R. Smith.
The starters for both conferences were announced last week, and were determined by votes from the fans.
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo will start for the East, while Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and Kevin Durant will start for the West.
The 62nd NBA All-Star Game will be played at the Toyota Center in Houston on Sunday, Feb. 17.