On Thursday, the NBA announced the reserves for this year’s All-Star game. The Eastern Conference featured players such as Ben Simmons, Bradley Beal, Khris Middleton and more. The Western Conference featured players such as Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard and others.
Both conferences have reserves that deserve to be in the All-Star game, but there are also snubs. Every year, there are players who deserve to be All-Stars but fail to make the rosters. Some of those players become All-Stars when injured starters or reserves cannot compete in the game. For example, Victor Oladipo was named an All-Star reserve. Oladipo suffered an unfortunate injury in his right knee and can’t play in the All-Star game. So, the NBA had to fill Oladipo’s spot. Brooklyn Nets guard D’Angelo Russell will take the place of Oladipo.
Shams Charania of the Athletic tweeted about Russell’s All-Star selection.
Brooklyn's D'Angelo Russell has been selected as Victor Oladipo's replacement as an East reserve in the NBA All-Star game, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 1, 2019
D’Angelo Russell is having a great season averaging 19.6 points and 6.4 assists. He has helped the Nets achieve the sixth-best record in the Eastern Conference with a record of 28-25. Players and fans showed support for Russell as an All-Star candidate. For example, his teammate Jared Dudley tweeted support for his teammate.
#AllStar https://t.co/opWpvfhhIN
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) January 30, 2019
This is Russell’s first All-Star game. He is also the second youngest Nets’ All-Star ever and is the first Nets player to make the All-Star game since Joe Johnson. Johnson made the game in 2014. He is also the first Ohio State Buckeye to make the All-Star game since Michael Redd. So, this selection is significant for both Russell and the Nets.
D’Angelo Russell is finally an All-Star. He has played well so far and deserves the nod. Now, fans must wait to see team captain drafts him.
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