No Raptors named to NBA All-Star Game for first time in eight years
It looks like not a single Toronto Raptors player will be part of this year’s NBA All-Star Game.
After starters were announced last week, the NBA has announced the remaining participating players.
The Eastern Conference @NBAAllStar Reserves Pool!@FCHWPO@JHarden13@ZachLaVine@J30_RANDLE@BenSimmons25@jaytatum0@NikolaVucevic#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/RJkiqrNsSO
— NBA (@NBA) February 24, 2021
The Western Conference @NBAAllStar Reserves Pool!@AntDavis23@Yg_Trece@rudygobert27@Dame_Lillard@spidadmitchell@CP3@Zionwilliamson#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/R0yCeWPEZl
— NBA (@NBA) February 24, 2021
Raptors fans were hopeful that Fred VanVleet would earn his first-ever All-Star selection, but despite posting career-best numbers, he is not among the Eastern Conference players picked.
“Of course I feel like an All-Star,” VanVleet told reporters after Sunday’s win. “I’m a confident guy. I don’t work this hard not to feel that way. I don’t play the way that I play to not feel that way.”
VanVleet is averaging 20.1 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.4 rebounds so far this season.
This marks the first time since 2013 that no Raptors players were picked for the game, though there is still a chance that VanVleet could fill in as an injury replacement. Four Raptors players have represented the team since 2014, including DeMar DeRozan (2014, 2016-2018), Kyle Lowry (2015-2020), Kawhi Leonard (2019), and Pascal Siakam (2020).
This year’s All-Star Game will take place Sunday, March 7 in Atlanta, with no fans in attendance. There will be some Canadian content included, as Brampton’s Alessia Cara will perform O Canada.
Eastern Conference All-Stars
- Kevin Durant* (Brooklyn Nets)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo* (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Kyrie Irving* (Brooklyn Nets)
- Bradley Beal* (Washington Wizards)
- Joel Embiid* (Philadelphia 76ers)
- James Harden (Brooklyn Nets)
- Julius Randle (New York Knicks)
- Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
- Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
- Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls)
- Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Nikola Vucevic (Orlando Magic)
Western Conference All-Stars
- LeBron James* (LA Lakers)
- Stephen Curry* (Golden State Warriors)
- Kawhi Leonard* (LA Clippers)
- Luka Doncic* (Dallas Mavericks)
- Nikola Jokic* (Denver Nuggets)
- Chris Paul (Phoenix Suns)
- Paul George (LA Clippers)
- Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
- Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz)
- Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz)
- Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans)
- Anthony Davis (LA Lakers)
*Players named starters at the All-Star Game
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