The NBA All-Star Game participants have been named for the 2020 edition emanating out of Chicago in a few weeks’ time. Here’s three Boston Celtics related takeaways from the exhibitions’ selections.
There will be a different feel to this year’s NBA All-Star game. With the loss of Kobe Bryant still sending shock-waves throughout the association, it is easy to forget there are even games to be played everyday. Los Angeles Lakers fans, Boston Celtics fans and every other fan-base have all put their allegiances aside to honor the late great Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and the seven other individuals that perished in Calabasas, California this past Sunday.
The NBA is honoring his memory with (admittedly confusing) rule changes to the game that are meant to honor Bryant and raise money for charitable causes. That said, the selection process still landed 12 players per team.
Team LeBron and Team Giannis have their player pool to choose from after the reserves were announced yesterday. Guys like Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons made the team after being snubbed for Trae Young‘s inclusion. Other newcomers, like Domantas Sabonis and Bam Adebayo justifiably earned their first All-Star nods. Some players like Khris Middleton and Kyle Lowry, returned to the annual February classic.
Was every player’s inclusion justified? That’s what we’re delving into. But we will be talking about All-Star starters, All-Star inclusions…and one All-Star snub.
Obviously, an exercise like All-Star voting is mostly subjective. Players exist in different situations and serve different functions for different squads. When it comes to front court players, it’s easy to think about rebounds and blocks, while guards may veer more towards points, assists and steals.
Regardless, it is always fun to decide whether or not the right 24 players are considered All-Stars or if someone watching the game at home is more deserving. Oddly enough, rooting for a player to be an All-Star is actually robbing them of vacation time. Ultimately, though, the exposure and honor of being considered among the league’s elite is something no player is above.
Read on for Boston Celtics musings regarding the Eastern Conference representatives for the 2020 All-Star Game in Chicago: