After much anticipation about who would or wouldn’t be an All-Star this year, the league finally announced the reserves for the All-Star game on Thursday.
There were some surprises but mostly, the coaches had it right with their picks this year:
Here are the Western Conference reserves for @NBAAllStar! #NBAAllStarTO pic.twitter.com/KnNu940QvS
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2016
Here are the Eastern Conference reserves for @NBAAllStar! #NBAAllStarTO pic.twitter.com/MVIvIIyWqr
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 29, 2016
All the selections were well warranted. Notable omissions included Pau Gasol from the East and Damian Lillard from the West. Rajon Rondo was a dark horse in the race, but the Sacramento Kings simply did not have good enough of a record to send two All-Stars to Toronto. Future legends Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Duncan were also left off the list.
One particular entrance that did many proud was Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas, who made the All-Star team for the first time in his career. He reflected on the honor, and plenty around the league showed their support of his success:
I am honored to be selected as an all star & represent the @Celtics, Joining the greatest of @Celtics who have played in the all star game
— Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas) January 29, 2016
I’m VERY GRATEFUL for ALL the SUPPORT I have been given by the greatest fans in the world & of course the @celtics organization. — Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas) January 29, 2016
This is a TEAM award, none of us succeed without our TEAMMATES & their support ON and OFF the court. So thanks to my TEAM and coaching staff
— Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas) January 29, 2016
Also thanks to the media, you have been very positive and supportive! #GoCeltics — Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas) January 29, 2016
Special Thanks to all of the coaches that Voted 4 me as an All Star. It is an honor & I will rep the Eastern Conference Right!
— Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas) January 29, 2016
@Isaiah_Thomas making the all star is awesome like for real bro can really hoop glad he made it — NINO BROWN (@iAmSJ) January 28, 2016
Congrats @Isaiah_Thomas also mannnn so happy for this dude go way back since abcd camp & RBKU!
— Brandon Jennings (@thinkiminthe90s) January 28, 2016
Happy for my bro I T congrats … @isaiah_thomas all about #heartoverheight #underdog wins… https://t.co/naKE1RanIB — Nate Robinson (@nate_robinson) January 28, 2016
Yessssiiirrrrr RT @WojVerticalNBA: Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas has been selected as a reserve to the … https://t.co/m5XrRLy4lV
— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) January 28, 2016
Waiting to see if my dude @isaiah_thomas gunna make this All Star game like… But he did!!!… https://t.co/otAxka3X4J — Kelly Olynyk (@KellyOlynyk) January 29, 2016
@Isaiah_Thomas Im very proud of you congrats and well deserve #AllStar2016
— Jason Terry (@jasonterry31) January 29, 2016
Congrats to @Isaiah_Thomas well deserved, what a journey!! Boston, & Tacoma you have a special one! — Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) January 29, 2016
I’m so hyped and proud of my bro.. Rep’n for the little guy #heartoverheight #holdat congrats #IT https://t.co/CMLZtBhUEO
— Nate Robinson (@nate_robinson) January 29, 2016
@Isaiah_Thomas congratulations on your first @NBAAllStar appearance. Happy for you! — Isiah Thomas (@iamisiahthomas) January 29, 2016
Also can’t forget my PG @Isaiah_Thomas congrats to that man!!!! #TinyLo #TheProfit
— Jared Sullinger (@Jared_Sully0) January 29, 2016
Congrats to the lil bro @Isaiah_Thomas on being a All-Star #SouthKentBiz TMC — Dorell Wright (@DWRIGHTWAY1) January 29, 2016
@Isaiah_Thomas bro your a real inspiration,motivate me. I Remember we had that talk in the summer. So this all star isn’t a surprise to me.
— Tony Wroten (@TWroten_LOE) January 29, 2016
Another player who received some additional praise was Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green, who nearly got into the festivities via fan voting before being overtaken by Kawhi Leonard in the final week.
Green and Thomas were both second rounders who had to fight their way into the league and did plenty extra to prove their critics wrong to get to where they are today. Here are some notable shoutouts for Green as well as others who made the team. Of course, not everyone was happy:
CONGRATS!!! to the big homie @AndreDrummondd for your 1st selection #AllStar…..even tho WE ALL KNOW YOU SHOULD BE STARTING #DVE — Reggie Jackson (@Reggie_Jackson) January 29, 2016
Yes sir @chrisbosh!!! Never a doubt… Tdot it’s time to cheer for this MAN. We’ve forgiven criminals quicker. #11timeallstar
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 29, 2016
Draymond, I’m so proud of you for making your 1st All-Star Team! @Money23Green — Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 29, 2016
Cookie & I are so proud of fellow Spartan Draymond Green and we will be in Toronto to watch him play in his 1st All-Star game! @Money23Green
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 29, 2016
Lol maybe you right https://t.co/PIx0SgSYP1 — Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) January 29, 2016
@paugasol not having an allstar year? Wow ????
— Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) January 29, 2016
We’re just 2 guys living out our dreams. #kidsatheart #6yearsinarowasteammates #TheeHeatNation pic.twitter.com/W2W3HLLyIJ — DWade (@DwyaneWade) January 29, 2016
Not happy that @swish41 didn’t make the All Star Squad.
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 29, 2016
Congrats to my teammates @money23green and @klaythompson stamping passports to Toronto. So well… https://t.co/S0TSeVB8el — Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) January 29, 2016
VIDEO: @Money23Green receives news he’s an All-Star from mother @BabersGreen https://t.co/ajrFxC3Twb @Warriors #NBA pic.twitter.com/O1YD0rJyIA
— Comcast SportsNet (@CSNAuthentic) January 29, 2016
Congrats to my teammates @money23green and @klaythompson stamping passports to Toronto. So well… https://t.co/S0TSeVB8el — Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) January 29, 2016
Couldn’t be happier for @JimmyButler, an @NBAAllStar for a second straight season. Keep up the hard work no. 21!
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) January 29, 2016
I’m honored to be selected by the coaches to my first NBA All-Star game — Andre Drummond (@AndreDrummondd) January 29, 2016
Congrats to my brother @Money23Green much deserved bro!!!! #TeamEaZy
— Jared Sullinger (@Jared_Sully0) January 29, 2016
Congrats to my bro @Money23Green on making his 1st All-Star game! #spartandawg #saginaw — Jason Richardson (@jrich23) January 29, 2016
Grateful and humbled to be an 11 time all star. Still sounds crazy when I hear it! #AllStar2016 #goingbacktotoronto
— Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) January 29, 2016
Teague/Korver for Hayward/Burke. That’s the trade. — Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 29, 2016
Congrats to @StephenCurry30 @KlayThompson n @Money23Green on Making the All-Star Team Reppin for the Dubs! #Squad ✊????
— Jason Thompson (@jtthekid) January 29, 2016
Jim Park is a blogger and Tweet of the Night author of Sheridan Hoops. Follow him on twitter @SheridanBlog.