NBA All Star Game 2014: Roster, Prediction And Preview For East Vs. West

The 63rd All-Star Game has typically been a celebration of the league’s megastars, and while there will be no shortage of star power on Sunday night, many of the spots on both rosters are made up of first-time All-Stars.

Following Saturday’s festivities featuring the Skills Competition, Three-point Shootout, and the Slam Dunk Contest, the All-Star Game will be the main event for an overall successful first weekend as commissioner for Adam Silver.

There’s arguably no bigger a first-time All-Star than Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry, who’s fifth in the league in scoring and second in assists per game.

Portland Trail Blazer Damian Lillard, who will have participated in four total All-Star events over the weekend, makes his first All-Star trip along with New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Anthony Davis. The NBA blocks leader was named as the injury replacement for Kobe Bryant.

In the East Washington’s John Wall, fresh off leading the conference to the Slam Dunk title on Saturday, has capped his stellar year with his first All-Star Game, followed by Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan and Atlanta’s Paul Millsap.

Bryant, who’s tied for the all-time mark with four career All-Star Game MVPs, would have played in his 16th career game, but this year’s elder statesman duties fall to Dallas’s Dirk Nowitzki. Netting 21.7 points and 6.1 rebounds, Nowitzki earned his 12th career All-Star nod.

Below are the full rosters with each players total number of career All-Star appearances.

East Squad

Starters

G Kyrie Irving (2x)

G Dwyane Wade (10x)

F Paul George (2x)

F LeBron James (10x)

F Carmelo Anthony (7x)

Reserves

G John Wall (1x)

G DeMar DeRozan (1x)

G Joe Johnson (7x)

F Paul Millsap (1x)

F Chris Bosh (9x)

C Joakim Noah (2x)

C Roy Hibbert (2x)

West Squad

Starters

G Stephen Curry (1x)

G Kobe Bryant* (16x)

F Kevin Durant (5x)

F Blake Griffin (4x)

F Kevin Love (3x)

Reserves

G Chris Paul (7x)

G Tony Parker (6x)

G Damian Lillard (1x)

G James Harden (2x)

F Dirk Nowitzki (12x)

F LaMarcus Aldridge (3x)

C Dwight Howard (8x)

C Anthony Davis (1x) (Bryant injury replacement)*

Prediction: It’s hard to doubt an East lineup that boasts the three top stars from the two best teams in the conference. However, Durant has set the league ablaze this year, and is poised to nab his second All-Star MVP in a West victory.