Pacers' George named to All-Star team as reserve
Paul George isn't used to coming off the bench, but the Indiana Pacers forward will be doing just that after being named to the NBA All-Star Game as a reserve.
“Anytime you get named to the All-Star team, it’s a big honor personally but something I share with the entire organization, especially my coaches and teammates,” said George. “This never gets old and I’m appreciative of the coaches for selecting me.”
The Eastern Conference reserves are Indiana's Paul George, Cleveland's Kevin Love, Toronto's Kyle Lowry, Atlanta's Paul Millsap, Boston's Isaiah Thomas, Washington's John Wall and Charlotte's Walker, who is going for the first time.
This is George’s fourth All-Star recognition, placing him third in team history behind Jermaine O’Neal with six All-Star games and Reggie Miller with five. Eastern Conference coaches voted for the team’s reserves.
Meanwhile, Dwyane Wade's run of 12 straight selections in the NBA's midseason showcase is on the cusp of ending.
Wade would have been a starter under the old formula that takes only fan voting into account when choosing the opening five for each roster, but the Chicago guard not qualify in the revised system employed by the NBA now that also takes into account votes from players and a panel of basketball media.
Golden State's Zaza Pachulia and Philadelphia's Joel Embiid also would have started in the former system, yet like Wade were shut out of the selections.
Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant are teammates again. Gordon Hayward, DeAndre Jordan and Kemba Walker are about to get their first opportunity on the All-Star stage.
Westbrook -- the NBA's scoring leader and triple-double machine -- was among 14 reserves selected by the league's coaches for the All-Star Game that will be played in New Orleans on Feb. 19. The Oklahoma City guard and two-time reigning All-Star MVP entered Thursday averaging 30.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game, so his selection was likely an easy one.
"There's no question in my mind that he should be starting," Thunder coach Billy Donovan said Thursday night. "However, I understand that there's certain things that have to do with who does start. I'm not taking anything away from anybody who is starting, but ... Russell, in my opinion, should be starting."
Being picked reunites Westbrook in the Western Conference locker room with Durant, his former Thunder teammate who is now part of a record-tying feat for Golden State. The Warriors tied the league mark with four selections, with reserves Draymond Green and Klay Thompson joining two teammates announced as starters last week -- Durant and Stephen Curry.
Other West reserves include Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins, Memphis' Marc Gasol and first-time selections Hayward of Utah and Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers.
NOTES: Hayward is Utah's first All-Star selection since Deron Williams in 2011. Walker is Charlotte's first All-Star since Gerald Wallace in 2010. ... Cleveland has three All-Stars -- Love, along with starters Kyrie Irving and LeBron James -- for the first time since 1993. ... Thomas, listed at 5-foot-9, is the fourth player under 6-feet with multiple All-Star selections in his career. ... All-Stars who played in last year's game and were not selected this year are Kobe Bryant (retired), Chris Paul (who is injured anyway), LaMarcus Aldridge, Carmelo Anthony, Pau Gasol, Andre Drummond and Wade.
