Kobe Bryant tops list of starters for his final All-Star Game

Kobe Bryant's farewell tour has officially added another stop — the 2016 NBA All-Star Game at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on February 14. The Los Angeles Lakers was unsurprisingly voted in by the fans as one of the Western Conference's five starters for the league's annual exhibition, making his 18th All-Star apperance in the process. Kobe dominated voting from the first returns and led all players with 1,891,614 votes, close to 200,00 more than second-place overall finisher Stephen Curry. He will likely be the center of attention all weekend and the game's MVP favorite if he plays at even an average level.

Kobe will be joined by four West teammates and five East starters, a group that includes annual MVP candidates, All-Star mainstays, up-and-coming stars, and a deserved selection for the hosts. These players will be joined by a total of 14 reserves (seven per side) to be announced next Thursday after voting by the coaches of the players' respective conferences. Anyone considered an egregious snub as a starter will almost certainly be named in that group.

 

Here's a look at all 10 voted starters:

 

WESTERN CONFERENCE

 

Frontcourt Kobe Bryant (18th appearance): Let's be clear — Kobe did not get in on the merits of his play over the first few months of this season. The 37-year-old legend is averaging just 16.3 ppg on career-worst 34.5 percent shooting from the field, can't defend at all, and soaks up possessions that would be better used by young players like D'Angelo Russell who theoretically represents the future of the Lakers. It's arguable that he's been the worst player in the NBA this season relative to usage.

Whatever. The All-Star Game is a silly exhibition that benefits from the sense that the stars of one generation are leaving a legacy for the best talents of today and the future. This year's event would feel incomplete without Kobe playing a prominent role. Put him on a throne in the middle of the court if necessary.

 

Frontcourt Kevin Durant (7th appearance): The Oklahoma City Thunder superstar has bounced back from a season of nagging foot problems to reclaim his position as his generation's most versatile scorer, averaging 26.5 ppg on 50.8 percent shooting from the field, a 39.5 percent mark from beyond the arc, and a true shooting percentage of 63.5. He's also flirting with a career high for rebounds and continues to make strides as a passer and defender. Curious media feuds aside, KD is as much of a joy to watch as ever.

Frontcourt Kawhi Leonard (1st appearance):

Rest easy, Basketball Internet — Kawhi Leonard is now officially an All-Star after overtaking Draymond Green and narrowly beating out Zaza PachuliaZaza Pachulia, of all people, in the final week. The MVP candidate and Defensive Player of the Year has blossomed into a stellar offensive player (21.8 ppg on 48.1 percent shooting on threes) to match his lockdown abilities. The Spurs outscore opponents by 29 points per 100 possessions when he's on the court.

Guard Stephen Curry (3rd appearance): Though kept from a second-straight season as the top vote-getter due to Bryant, Curry has only improved on his MVP form and is the runaway favorite for the award again this season. The stats speak for themselves — a league-leading 31.8 ppg and 67.7 true shooting percentage, 44.9 percent shooting from three on more than 11 attempts per game, etc. — but it's impossible to understand Curry without watching him. He takes 30-footers regularly, stretches the defense well past its breaking point, and reshapes common assumptions about what qualifies as a good decision. Just imagine where he'll shoot from in a game that means nothing.

 

Guard Russell Westbrook (5th appearance): The 2015 All-Star Game MVP hasn't dipped in form after Durant's return to the lineup, averaging 24.0 ppg with a career-high 9.8 apg. There's more, as ever with Westbrook — the league's chief maximalist continues to attack at both ends and generally doesn't slow down unless he runs into someone or something. His co-star is even worried that he'll injure himself while dunking.

 

EASTERN CONFERENCE

 

Frontcourt LeBron James (12th appearance): The best player of his generation looks a little less formidable this season, although it's not clear if that's only because he's saving himself for the playoffs. At any rate, an average LeBron is still pretty amazing — he's at 25.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, and 6.0 apg for a Cleveland Cavaliers squad that looks set to sprint through the Eastern Conference for the second season in a row.

Frontcourt Paul George (3rd appearance):

The Indiana Pacers has come back from his horrific leg injury suffered at a Team USA exhibition in 2014 to slot right back into his role as one of the league's brightest young stars. His career-high 23.7 ppg have the Pacers challenging for homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Frontcourt Carmelo Anthony (9th appearance): Yes, Melo is mostly on this list because of his past exploits, but he's much more deservint than fourth-place finisher Pau Gasol, who he topped by just 360 votes. But his scoring numbers are still very good (21.7 ppg) as he takes on a role as the leader of a New York Knicks team challenging for a playoff spot ahead of Phil Jackson's rebuilding schedule. It's been something of a revelation to see a player often derided for dominating the ball excelling as a passer. Anthony's too good to be a cog in a machine, but he's still part of a coherent long-term plan for the first time in a while.

 

Guard Dwyane Wade (12th appearance): An obvious legacy pick, the 34-year-old Wade nevertheless looks spry with regularity in a career-low 29.9 minutes per game. Like Bryant, he's a player who belongs in the All-Star Game even if he doesn't really deserve the title. The event is better with him in town.

 

Guard Kyle Lowry (2nd appearance): All-Star Weekend's de facto host received a late voting surge for the second year in a row to overtake Kyrie Irving and represent the Raptors on their own court. The slimmed-down point guard is three points above his previous career-high in scoring at 20.9 ppg and has Toronto in sole possession of second place in the conference.