The first fan vote returns for the 2018 NBA All-Star starters are out. Giannis Antetokounmpo, banking on his rising star stateside and heroic stature in Greece, is the leading vote-getter overall, edging LeBron James. That indicates that, assuming the players’ and media votes will keep Giannis as a starter (they will), Giannis might end up as one of the two captains picking All-Star teams. That’d be weird! We all just assumed it’d be LeBron and either Kevin Durant (who is in fact the No. 1 in the fan vote in the West), Stephen Curry (who is in fact No. 2), or James Harden (who is in fact No. 3).
Looks like Zaza Pachulia will never be an NBA All-Star
We have that and more in Friday’s NBA newsletter.
Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images
Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins currently hold the other two starting slots for the West, though Draymond Green and Paul George aren’t far behind. What’s most notable is that Zaza Pachulia’s two-year insurgent run for All-Star appears to be over: He is not among the top 10 in voting for the West frontcourt. The nation of Georgia and fans of Hayes Grier have apparently moved on.
In the East, Joel Embiid is in the third frontcourt spot with Kristaps Porzingis the closest challenger. Kyrie Irving has an overwhelming lead in the backcourt, with DeMar DeRozan and Victor Oladipo (!) fighting a close race for No. 2. The player and media vote should ensure DeRozan gets the starting slot; Oladipo’s going to have an interesting case against other East guards like John Wall, Kyle Lowry, and Bradley Beal when coaches pick reserves.
Scores Galore ...
GSW 124, HOU 114
OKC 127, LAC 117
... And So Much More
Not a lot of defense on Thursday night, as seen by those scores.
Huge shoutout to the community at Bright Side of the Sun, who raised money to send 2,000 underprivileged kids to their first NBA game! You can still donate to help take more kids, too.
Paul Flannery on how the Celtics won a statement game that wasn’t against the Cavaliers. Speaking of the Celtics, their blueprint is to be the best team in the NBA in a few years. Are they ahead of schedule? And by the way: It looks like they’ll get another top-five pick this year.
So Isaiah Thomas requested no video tribute on Wednesday because he wasn’t playing. The Celtics accepted that request. But now things are complicated! The next and final Cavaliers visit of the regular season is Feb. 11 ... when the C’s are retiring Paul Pierce’s jersey. Paul Pierce is uninterested in watching an Isaiah tribute video during his special day. This is like office party politics turned up to 11, and it’s hilarious. Good luck, Celtics!
How Gerald Green went from unemployed to balling out of control for one of the league’s best teams.
The DJ got Steph Curry falling into Usher again.
Kristaps Porzingis, who is anemic, is getting worn down by his bigger role. Something to watch.
Kristian Winfield writes that the Nets are no longer a night off for opponents. Here’s a play that epitomizes what the Nets want to become.
One reason the Nuggets are playing so well: the emergence of Gary Harris.
Kelly Dwyer on DeMar DeRozan’s giant step forward.
Remember what Josh McRoberts was supposed to be for the Miami Heat? Kelly Olynyk has done it all.
Be excellent to each other.
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