Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Golden State leads the league with six players in the top 10 of front court players and guards for the Western Conference
The NBA released the initial returns for fan voting in this year’s 2022-23 NBA All-Star Game on Wednesday. As usual, Dub Nation came through big time as the Golden State Warriors lead the league with six players voted in the top 10 for frontcourt players and guards in the Western Conference.
Lakers’ LeBron James and Nets’ Kevin Durant lead the NBA’s first 2022-23 All-Star fan voting returns: pic.twitter.com/ObI4WQjnuH
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 5, 2023
Stephen Curry headlines the Warriors’ selections with 2,715,520 votes – currently the most votes amongst all guards and fourth most of all players in the NBA. Andrew Wiggins has the next highest votes of any Golden State player with 1,123,898 followed by Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney, and Jordan Poole.
Curry should be a lock to make his ninth career All-Star Game. He was playing at an MVP level for Golden State until a shoulder injury sidelined him for the past few weeks. Curry played in the All-Star game last season and was named the All-Star MVP after a record breaking 50-point performance which saw him drain 16 shots from deep three-point range.
Wiggins and Green were the other two Warriors selected to last season’s game and they once again find themselves among the top 10 in voting this season. Wiggins infamously made the All-Star starting lineup last season thanks to a huge boost from the fan vote on Twitter. This prompted the league to change the rules this season by making fans vote exclusively through the NBA app or NBA.com while limiting votes to one per day.
Regardless, Wiggins and Green have had excellent seasons so far. The only thing potentially stopping Wiggins from being an All-Star once again is an adductor injury that has kept him out since early December. As for Green, he continues to be the heartbeat of the Warriors and should be a strong candidate for not just the All-Star Game, but also Defensive Player of the Year.
Thompson makes a reappearance on this list and could potentially make his first All-Star Game since 2019. Two devastating leg injuries robbed the five-time All-Star from the annual game in previous seasons, but as of late, Thompson has caught fire and could possibly make a late push for a reserve spot.
The two new Warriors on this list are Looney and Poole. Although Looney is extremely valuable to the Warriors, he continues to be underrated in most discussions for best front court players in the league. Poole, on the other hand, continues to show flashes of his potential that earned him a four-year, $140 million contract extension this past offseason; however, he has struggled putting together consistently good performances this season.
Fan voting for the All-Star game will continue until Jan. 21. Continue voting for the Warriors here.
Ricko Mendoza
https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/2023/1/5/23541668/steph-curry-among-six-warriors-headlining-first-returns-nba-all-star-fan-voting
By: Ricko Mendoza
Title: Steph Curry among six Warriors headlining first returns of NBA All-Star fan voting
Sourced From: www.goldenstateofmind.com/2023/1/5/23541668/steph-curry-among-six-warriors-headlining-first-returns-nba-all-star-fan-voting
Published Date: 01-06-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the NBA's greatest defender?
It would be no surprise to anyone who is familiar in basketball to find "The Dream", at the top of this list. Hakeem Olajuwon blocked 3,830 shot during his 18-year NBA playing career. This number is higher than any other player in NBA history. He was also an All-Defensive player (9 times) and 2-time DPOY (2 times), leading his team to two NBA Championships. As a defender, he was among the best; his footwork, timing and athleticism allowed him to be an excellent shot blocker and rebounder. He was an opponent's nightmare because of his ability to defend any position on the court. He was not only one of the best offensive players, but also had a great ability to guard any position on the court. He was quick and agile with a great array of spin moves. This allowed him score in the post. His versatility made him a great player and defender. It is clear that Hakeem Olajuwon should be on this list.
Bill Russell, who averaged 15.1 points per game, is barely #2 on this ranking. However he was an outstanding defender during his era that gave opposing sides nightmares. Bill Russell has 11 NBA Championships to his credit throughout his career. He also holds the record for the most defensive win percentages in NBA history, 133.64. He was an integral part of the Boston Celtics' phenomenal success. His defensive prowess, rebounding ability and slashing skills were vital to their championship wins. His ability to anticipate plays and understand opponents' strategies made him an intimidating presence on the court, which is why he is considered by many as the most decorated defender in NBA history.
Dennis Rodman is number three on this list. He was a pioneer in the NBA's history, and he made an enormous impact whenever he played. Rodman played tough defence, rebounded well, and didn't need the ball to score, which allowed his team win often. In fact, Dennis Rodman was a 7-time Rebounding Champ, 8-time All-Defensive Player, 2-time DPOY, and a 5-time NBA Champion. His perseverance on defense was unmatched. He seemed to always be in the right spot at exactly the right moment. He was also a great rebounder. He often out-jumps taller players and takes boards from them.
What is a restricted free agent in NBA?
An NBA restricted-free agent is a player whose rookie contract has been completed and who becomes an unrestricted, free agent. However, their rights are still owned by their previous team. In this situation, the team has the right to match any offer sheet another team gives to the player. If they do, the player must continue to play for their team and remain within their contract. This allows teams the opportunity to retain valuable players, even though they may not be able pay them due to their salary cap. Teams can use restricted free agents to build their rosters with great flexibility.
What is the NBA Draft?
The NBA Draft is an annual tournament in which eligible players are selected by teams. It is held each June and includes two rounds. Each team gets one selection per round. The order of the draft will be determined by the teams' records from previous seasons. The worst team receiving the first and best picks respectively. Teams can choose college or international players between the ages of 19 and 19. This is an essential event for teams as it allows them to acquire a new talent and build their rosters. It also offers players the chance to transfer from their college or international leagues to join the NBA.
Statistics
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
- The opening game of the 2020 Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat brought in only 7.41 million viewers to ABC, according to The Hollywood Reporter. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20 percent of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The 2013–14 season opened with 92 international players on the opening night rosters, representing 39 countries and over 20% of the league. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Williams would 'likely' accept a deal worth $14-15M/year; Celtics are 'unlikely' to offer such a deal (HoopsHype) (bleacherreport.com)
External Links
basketball-reference.com
- Thomas Bryant Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
- Dennis Schroder Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more | Basketball-Reference.com
twitter.com
- Tweet / Twitter
- Sam Amico on Twitter: "Timberwolves Waive PJ Dozier, CJ Elleby and AJ Lawson - Hoops Wire https://t.co/xKu1ZTuQZN" / Twitter
sbnation.com
nba.com
How To
How is the NBA All-Star Game selected?
A combination of fan, media and current player voting chooses the 24 players selected to compete in the NBA All-Star Game. Fans account for 50 percent of the vote, while the media and current players each account for 25 percent. Each vote counts as one and all three groups must submit their ballots simultaneously. Each conference selects the players by position (2 guards, 2 forwards, and 1 center). The NBA Commissioner will pick a replacement for any player who becomes incapacitated or injured due to other reasons. The players chosen for the All-Star Game then proceed to compete against each other in a pre-determined game format. The team that accumulates the most points in the four quarters wins will win. The winning team receives an extra donation to their charity foundation each year.
Additionally, the most valuable player in the game receives a special award. As it brings together the best players from both conferences, The All-Star Game has become a very popular event in the NBA. Fans can watch their favorite players play against one another and find out who wins. The All-Star Game showcases some of NBA's most exciting players and is an event fans look forward every year. The NBA All-Star Game's unique selection process will ensure that the game provides entertainment and talent.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://latestnbanews.com/news/quentin-grimes-noted-in-john-hollingers-sophomore-class-report-card
