The French international pivot of Jazz is part of the list of replacements for the next All Star Game in Cleveland (February 20).
Never two without three. Already All Star for the past two years, Rudy Gobert is again invited to the National Basketball Association All-Star Game which will take place on February 20, in Cleveland. The international tricolor pivot of Jazz is part of the list of replacements in the West. List unveiled this night, a week after that of the holders.
Moreover, the 29-year-old tall échalas (2.16m), triple best defender in the NBA, could (should?) have been part of the “starters”, he who has 16 points, 15.1 rebounds (1st in the NBA) and 2.3 blocks (2nd) since the start of the season (42 games) and which is more impactful than ever. If it were up to journalists, he would have found his place in one of the five alongside LeBron James (LA Lakers) and Nikola Jokic (Denver). The players had put him in fourth position in the “frontcourt” category (wingers, pivots), behind Draymond Green (Golden State), while the public had relegated him to ninth place with 767,505 votes, 29th in total, far behind Andrew Wiggins (3,452,586 votes), who won the timpani and took advantage of the glitches of several regulars, Anthony Davis (LA Lakers), Kawhi Leonard or Paul George (LA Clippers).
The draft next Thursday
For the holders, it will be recalled that the votes of the public count for 50%, against 25% for those of the players and journalists. As far as substitutes are concerned, it is the coaches who have the upper hand. In the event of a forfeit, it will be up to the big boss of the North American League, Adam Silver, to play. Finally, it is the two captains, LeBron James and Kevin Durant (Brooklyn), the two players who received the most votes from the public, who will compose their one-day team during a draft next Thursday. As in previous years, this selection will be broadcast live on the antenna of TNT.
Last season, it was not a very pleasant moment for Gobert and his co-religionist from Utah, Donovan Mitchell, selected last and tackled by “LBJ” in mondovision. “In video games, growing up, we never play with Utah“, had fun the “King”, already captain in 2021. Still, Gobert, currently in the infirmary with a strained calf but who should be back by the party, overtakes Joakim Noah in the club very closed to the French invited to the All Star Game with this third cape, Yannick’s son having only been entitled to two invitation cards. The Olympic vice-champion still has a long way to go to catch up with the so-called Tony Parker and his six selections.
Doncic, “CP3”, Harden and LaVine called
In the meantime, the native of Saint-Quentin (Aisne) will have the pleasure of going to Ohio with his teammate in Salt Lake City, Donovan Mitchell, selected in the West with Draymond Green (who will not be able to hold his place in the end and will be replaced), Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota), Luka Doncic (Dallas), Chris Paul, Devin Booker (Phoenix). No huge surprise here, even if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) or Dejounte Murray (San Antonio) can storm. “PG13”, “AD” and Damian Lillard (Portland), they pay their injuries. Ditto for Klay Thompson (Golden State), who has just resumed.
The coaches, on the other hand, ignored those of James Harden (Brooklyn), summoned to the pool of the Eastern Conference. “The Beard” is accompanied by a regional stage, Darius Garland (Cleveland), but also Khris Middleton (Milwaukee), Jimmy Butler (Miami), Zach LaVine (Chicago), Jayson Tatum (Boston) and Fred VanVleet (Toronto ). Not LaMelo Ball (Charlotte), who will have to settle for the Rising Stars (February 18). Tyler Herro (Miami), Jarrett Allen (Cleveland) and Domantas Sabonis (Indiana) are among the other “forgotten” in the East. With the probable package of Durant, one of them will however pass in catch-up. “KD” will not be exempted from being an officer during the February 10 draft, with LeBron.
The list of players selected for the All Star Game :
HOLDERS
Kevin Durant (Brooklyn, captain), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia), Trae Young (Atlanta) and DeMar DeRozan (Chicago) – LeBron James (LA Lakers, captain), Nikola Jokic (Denver), Andrew Wiggins, Stephen Curry (Golden State) and Ja Morant (Memphis).
SUBSTITUTES
James Harden (Brooklyn), Darius Garland (Cleveland), Khris Middleton (Milwaukee), Jimmy Butler (Miami), Zach LaVine (Chicago), Jayson Tatum (Boston) et Fred VanVleet (Toronto) – Donovan Michell, Rudy Gobert (Utah), Draymond Green (Golden State), Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota), Luka Doncic (Dallas), Chris Paul et Devin Booker (Phoenix).
