NBA All-Star Game 2017 roster: LeBron James is joined by 4 new faces in East starting lineup

The 2017 Eastern Conference All-Stars feature one usual suspect, with the rest of the starting five completely compiled from new faces.

LeBron James makes his 13th consecutive appearance in the East’s starting lineup, solidifying his already Hall of Fame-bound career. But joining him are the new kids on the block, including Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, who’s taken the NBA by storm with his unique blend of size and skill, and Jimmy Butler, who has raised his play to an even higher level in Chicago this year.

DeMar DeRozan and Kyrie Irving have both been All-Star regulars, but they make up the back court as starters for the first time this year. The influx of new talent means players like Carmelo Anthony, Paul George, and Dwyane Wade won’t make the team as starters this season.

GUARD: Kyrie Irving

GUARD: DeMar DeRozan

FRONT COURT: Jimmy Butler

FRONT COURT: LeBron James

FRONT COURT: Giannis Antetokounmpo

While Isaiah Thomas’ electrifying play may have stolen the spotlight, Irving is still one of, if not the premier guard the East has to offer. He showed that when he knocked down a game-winner against Golden State on Christmas over Klay Thompson’s outstretched arms. Irving’s averaging 23.6 points, 5.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game as LeBron’s co-star, and his play is equally important to Cleveland’s standing atop the East.

DeRozan’s refined mid-range game has been the highlight of a Toronto Raptors offensive attack rocketing the team to just two games behind Cleveland at the top of the East. Toronto’s All-Star guard is averaging 28.2 points per game, good for fifth-best in the league. Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said DeRozan has another level to reach, but at this rate, DeRozan is on pace to become the best two guard the league has to offer.

The 2017 All-Star Game marks LeBron James’ 13th consecutive start, illustrating the sheer dominance The King has consistently imposed on the league. James is enjoying one of the best seasons of his illustrious career, averaging 25.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.8 rebounds per game. He’s drilling more three-pointers per game (1.8) than ever before, and his Cavaliers are on pace to reach the NBA Finals for the third straight season.

Milwaukee’s point guard experiment has unleashed the Greek Freak in rare form. Antetokounmpo is playing a brand of basketball unlike the league has ever seen — a 6’11 ball-handler and decision-maker who can penetrate the lane at will. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the only other player in NBA history to average at least 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two blocks per game. Antetokounmpo is on pace to join him. That’s impact.

If there was any question whose team the Bulls were when they added Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo over the summer, Butler resoundingly answered them. The argyle sock sponsor has come up big all season-long for Chicago, which is fighting for its playoff life holding onto the eighth seed in the East. Butler is posting 10 more points than his career average (14.9) and has taken the challenge, becoming the leader the Bulls needed him to be.

East backcourt

East frontcourt