NBA All-Star Game starters will be announced Thursday, which means that coaches will start making their reserve picks over the weekend.
The following string of tweets, which we launched into Wednesday morning, lays out how difficult these choices will be for Western Conference coaches in particular.
NBA All-Star starters announced Thursday. Friday AM: Western Conference coaches start looking for the nearest wall upon which to slam head
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 21, 2015Do we agree there are 10 West locks? Starters: Kobe, Steph, Blake, Brow, MGasol. Subs: Harden, Russ, Dame, CP3 and that kid on a comeback KD
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 21, 2015If we can come to a consensus on those 10 in the West -- yeah, right -- that leaves two spots open for LaMarcus, Klay, Boogie, Duncan, etc.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 21, 2015RT @ZachLowe_NBA: @ESPNSteinLine KD has played 18 of 41 games. Don't know how to weigh that vs. fact he's Kevin F-ing Durant (THINK HE'S IN)
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 21, 2015Note on that @kobebryant fellow: If the fans vote you in as an All-Star Game starter, that means you earned your spot in the All-Star Game
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 21, 2015My next question before moving onto East: Are there actually 11 locks in the West? Should LaMarcus Aldridge be a lock along with earlier 10?
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 21, 2015LaMarcus Aldridge indeed a lock. Coaches required by All-Star law to vote for THREE bigs so LMA seems a sure bet as a West reserve. And ...
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 21, 2015That rules require coaches to choose three bigs (plus two guards & two wild cards) can only help Boogie Cousins' chances in guard-heavy West
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 21, 2015One man's projected West reserves: Harden, Aldridge & KD as bigs/forwards. Lillard/Russ at guard. CP3 as wild card. Leaves one open WC spot
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 21, 2015IF starters hold and IF reserves play out that way, DEEP fight for one spot: Klay, Duncan, Boogie, Dwight, Dirk, Monta, Conley, Z-Bo, etc.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 21, 2015Gut feel: Harden or Klay will be submitted as a small forward so West coaches can meet ballot requirement of three frontcourt players easier
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 21, 2015West even more agonizing when you recall Kawhi Leonard, in his 25 games so far, has been San Antonio's best player. The prob: He's missed 18
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 21, 2015