2018 NBA All-Star Starters Announced

The 2018 NBA All-Star game will be held on Sunday February 18. The game will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA; home of the Lakers and Clippers. Earlier today, the All-Star starters were announced.

David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Both forward LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and guard Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors were named the captains for the Eastern and Western teams respectively. So far, LeBron is 3rd in points per game with 27.3 and 4th in assists per game with 8.8 in the NBA. Even though Curry missed 15 games with an injury, still had 27.7 PPG and would've been ranked higher than LeBron had he not been injured.

Joining LeBron from the East will be former teammate guard Kyrie Irving of the Boston Celtics. Irving has lead the Celtics to an Eastern Conference best record at 34-11. Irving is 12th in PPG averaging 24.1.

Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Joining Irving in the back court from the East will be Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan has lead the Raptors to the 2nd best record in the East at 30-13. DeRozan is 8th in PPG scoring 25.2.

Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Rounding out the second forward position from the East will be Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis is the leading scorer in the Eastern Conference with 28.2 PPG. He also ranks 10th in the league with 10.1 rebounds per game, 18th in blocks per game with 1.3 and 19th in steals per game with 1.6.

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Rounding off the best five from the East is the man in the middle Joel Embiid from the Philadelphia 76ers. Embiid ranks 13th in scoring with 23.8 PPG, 7th in RPG with 10.8 and 5th in Blocks Per Game with 1.9. The 76ers are currently at .500 in 9th place in the East hoping to make the playoffs this season.

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

As for the West best five, joining Steph Curry in the back court is Houston Rockets guard James Harden. Harden is the leading scorer in the NBA at 32.3 PPG. Harden is also 3rd in assists in the league with 9.1 APG and 10th in steals with 1.8 SPG. The Rockets are currently leading the Southwest Division by 2 games over the San Antonio Spurs and are 2nd in the West behind Curry's Warriors.

Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Curry's Warriors teammate, forward Kevin Durant, was also selected as a starter for the All-Star game. Durant is 5th in scoring with 26.2 PPG, 19th in assists with 5.4 APG and 4th in blocks with 2.0 BPG. Curry and Durant have lead the Warriors to an NBA best record of 37-9.

Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Two big men were announced as starters from the West as well. One was New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Anthony Davis. Davis is 4th in the league in scoring with 26.7 PPG, 8th in rebounds with 10.5 RPG and 3rd in blocks with 2.1 BPG. The Pelicans currently are 6th in the West at 23-21.

Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

The other big man announced and rounding out the starting five from the West was Davis' teammate DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins sits 6th in the league in scoring at 26.7 PPG. Cousins is also 3rd in rebounding at 12.7 RPG, 7th in blocks with 1.6 BPG and 17th in steals with 1.6 SPG.

Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

As per new rules of the All-Star game starting this year, LeBron and Curry will both pick their teams, without regard for conference affiliation. The new format allowed not only the fans to vote, but also the players and media as well for the All-Star starters. Reserves will be selected by the NBA coaches on Tuesday January 23rd.