KEVIN DURANT, JAMES HARDEN HEADLINE 2015 ALL-STAR GAME RESERVES.

 

The NBA announced Thursday the 2015 Eastern and Western Conference All-Star reserves, headlined by reigning MVP Kevin Durant and scoring leader James Harden.
The following 14 players were selected by a vote of the league’s coaches:
Eastern Conference reserves: Chris Bosh (Heat), Jimmy Butler (Bulls), Al Horford (Hawks), Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers), Paul Millsap (Hawks), Jeff Teague (Hawks), Dwyane Wade (Heat)
Western Conference reserves: LaMarcus Aldridge (Blazers), Tim Duncan (Spurs), Kevin Durant (Thunder), James Harden (Rockets), Chris Paul (Clippers), Klay Thompson (Warriors), Russell Westbrook (Thunder)
Butler, Teague and Thompson were first-time selections.
• MORE NBA: Midseason Awards | All-Star starters | SI's All-Star reserves
Coaches could not vote for their own players and were asked to select two backcourt players, three frontcourt players and two “wildcard” players, who could play any position, from within their conference.
A list of the biggest names not selected to the 2015 All-Star Game includes: Eric Bledsoe (Suns), Mike Conley (Grizzlies), DeMarcus Cousins (Kings), DeMar DeRozan (Raptors), Goran Dragic (Suns), Monta Ellis (Mavericks), Draymond Green (Warriors), Dwight Howard (Rockets), Al Jefferson (Hornets), Joe Johnson (Nets), DeAndre Jordan (Clippers), Brandon Knight (Bucks), Kyle Korver (Hawks), Kawhi Leonard (Spurs), Damian Lillard (Blazers), Brook Lopez (Nets), Kevin Love (Cavaliers), Greg Monroe (Pistons), Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks), Tony Parker (Spurs), Zach Randolph (Grizzlies), Derrick Rose (Bulls) and Nikola Vucevic (Magic).
The 14 reserves announced Thursday will join the 10 starters that were selected by a fan vote and announced last week.
Eastern Conference starters: John Wall (Wizards), Kyle Lowry (Raptors), LeBron James (Cavaliers), Pau Gasol (Bulls), Carmelo Anthony (Knicks)
Western Conference starters: Stephen Curry (Warriors), Kobe Bryant (Lakers), Anthony Davis (Pelicans), Blake Griffin (Clippers), Marc Gasol (Grizzlies)
• MORE NBA: Butler's breakout | Irving's career night | Thompson sets record
NBA commissioner Adam Silver will likely need to name multiple injury replacements. Bryant underwent season-ending surgery on his right shoulder this week and will need to be replaced on the West’s roster. Wade is also out indefinitely after straining his right hamstring on Tuesday.
Cousins, Howard, Lillard and Nowitzki would seem to be the top favorites to replace Bryant. Korver, Love and Vucevic are likely the leading candidates if Wade needs to be replaced.
SI.com made its selections for both the All-Star starters and the reserves earlier this month.
The 2015 NBA All-Star Game is set for Feb. 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The NBA and Adidas unveiled the 2015 All-Star Game jersey designs back in December.

Post by Abdulrazaaq Ngowo.