The NBA officially announced the rosters of this season’s All-Star Game on Thursday. As most hoops fans know, the selection process went a bit different this go-around. Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry were named captains by way of highest vote count. Those two captains then picked from a pool of players who received enough votes to be named a starter or reserve.
James, now a 14-time All-Star, selected Cavs big man Kevin Love, who will be making his fifth appearance at the event, as one of his teammates. Exactly which pick James used to pick Love with remains to be seen.
Love, now 29 years of age, joked about being picked last after Friday’s practice session at Cleveland Clinic Courts.
“When do you think you were picked?,” Love was asked.
“When was I picked? Probably last,” Love told Cavs Nation with a smile.
Love seemed to be in favor of James’ picks. In fact, he joked that the starting lineup would go 82-0 in a hypothetical regular season.
Earlier this week, Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue instituted a lineup change. Love will slide back to his natural position at power forward, Tristan Thompson will join the starting rotation, and Jae Crowder will assume a role with the reserves.
Maybe coach Lue’s lineup change is just what the doctor ordered for the struggling Cavs, who’ve lost 10 of their last 13 games, including Tuesday night’s 114-102 set-back in San Antonio against the Spurs. Their first run together will be on Friday night, as the Cavs are scheduled to host the Indiana Pacers. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. EST with Fox Sports Ohio and Fox Sports Indiana having live broadcast coverage.
For a full schedule of the events to be held during this season’s All-Star festivities, hoops fans can head over to this link from NBA.com.