Raptors' DeRozan named starter for NBA All-Star Game

Jan 19 2018, 7:08 am

As if there was any doubt.

Enjoying arguably the finest season of his career, DeMar DeRozan has been voted in as a starter for the NBA All-Star Game, which takes place next month in his hometown of Los Angeles.

It’s the fourth All-Star Game selection of DeRozan’s career, and the second straight season he’s been voted in.

“Having the opportunity to play an NBA All-Star Game in my hometown is amazing, and being able to represent Toronto – my other home – makes it even better,” DeRozan said. “It’s a great honour to be selected as a starter again, and I want to thank my teammates and coaches, the fans across Canada, the media, and the entire NBA community. I appreciate your votes.”

Scoring 25.2 points per game with 4.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, DeRozan is the biggest reason why the Raptors currently hold the NBA’s fourth-best record.

Other players named to the team from the Eastern Conference include:

  • LeBron James
  • Giannis Antetokounmpo
  • Joel Embiid
  • Kyrie Irving

Western Conference starters are as follows:

  • Stephen Curry
  • James Harden
  • Anthony Davis
  • Kevin Durant
  • DeMarcus Cousins

Despite the selection of five players from the East and five from the West, the 2018 game at Staples Center will mark the beginning of a new NBA All-Star Game format. The league will do away with East vs West teams, instead adopting something the NHL All-Star Game pioneered in 2011, with players dividing themselves into teams through a fantasy draft chosen by team captains James and Curry.

James (2,638,294 fan votes) and Antetokounmpo (2,530,211) were the top overall vote-getters. Curry (2,379,494) had the most of any players in the West, ahead of his Golden State teammate Durant (2,238,406).

The NBA chooses players based on the votes of fans (50%), current players (25%), and media (25%).

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