LA Clippers' Chris Paul named to 2016 Western Conference All-Star team

January 28, 2016

The NBA announced that Los Angeles Clippers' point guard Chris Paul has been voted by the coaches to the Western Conference All-Star team as a reserve for the 2016 NBA All-Star Game in Toronto.

"I am truly humbled to be selected by the coaches to play in the All-Star Game," Paul said. "I am excited to represent the Clippers in Toronto and once again be a part of NBA All-Star Weekend and compete alongside so many great players."

This will be Paul’s ninth All-Star game selection. He owns the highest per game assist average (12.9) and steal average (3.1) in All-Star Game history. Paul has been a starter four times, a reserve three times, and missed the game in 2010 due to injury.

Paul was the All-Star MVP at the 2013 All-Star Game in Houston after posting 20 points, 15 assists, and four steals in a 143-138 win over the Eastern Conference. It marked the first time Paul and a Clipper have received the honor.

This season Paul is averaging 18.6 points, 9.6 assists, and 2.1 steals per game in 41 games (all starts). He ranks 4th in assist-to-turnover ratio, 4th in assists, 5th in steals and 12th in free throw percentage (.882) in the NBA this season.

Joining Paul as reserves for the Western Conference are: LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio), DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento), Anthony Davis (New Orleans), Draymond Green (Golden State), James Harden (Houston), and Klay Thompson (Golden State).

Stephen Curry, Green, and Thompson comprise the Golden State Warriors’ first trio of All-Stars since Rick Barry, Phil Smith, and Jamaal Wilkes 40 years ago.

The Eastern Conference reserves are Chris Bosh (Miami Heat), Jimmy Butler (Chicago Bulls), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors), Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons), Paul Millsap (Atlanta Hawks), Isaiah Thomas (Boston Celtics) and John Wall (Washington Wizards).

Drummond and Thomas have been named All-Stars for the first time. Drummond, who leads the NBA in rebounding (15.2 rpg) and double-doubles (38), is Detroit’s first All-Star selection since Allen Iverson in the 2008-09 season. Thomas, the 60th and final pick of NBA Draft 2011, is averaging career highs of 21.6 points (12th in the NBA) and 6.6 assists (ninth in the NBA).

DeRozan, who is averaging a career-high 23.0 points (ninth in the NBA) and leads the league in points on drives, is an All-Star for the second time. DeRozan and Toronto teammate Kyle Lowry, an East starter, are set to become the first starting backcourt to play in the All-Star Game in their home city since the Los Angeles Lakers’ Jerry West and Gail Goodrich in 1972.

Cousins, the only NBA player ranked in the top five in scoring (27.3 ppg) and rebounding (11.3 rpg), is an All-Star for the second straight season.  Davis makes his third All-Star team in a row. He is the only NBA player averaging at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and two blocked shots.

Bosh, who spent his first seven seasons in Toronto, earns his 11th consecutive All-Star selection.  Butler, who is averaging a career-high 22.3 points (11th in the NBA), makes his second straight All-Star appearance.

The East starters are Dwyane Wade (Heat), Kyle Lowry (Raptors), LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers), Paul George (Indiana Pacers) and Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks). The West starters are Stephen Curry (Warriors), Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder), Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers), Kevin Durant (Thunder) and Kawhi Leonard (Spurs).

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will select the replacement for any player unable to participate in the All-Star Game. If the injured player is a starter, the head coach of that team will determine the replacement in the starting lineup.

The Spurs’ Gregg Popovich and his staff will coach the West All-Stars, while the Cavaliers’ Tyronn Lue and his staff will lead the East All-Stars.

The 65th NBA All-Star Game will be televised by TNT at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 14 from Air Canada Centre in Toronto, the first All-Star Game held outside the U.S.

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services

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