In the NBA All Star selection, team success has a heavy influence on selecting the roster.
This is why it is only natural that the Golden State Warriors have the most number of All-Stars this season. With a phenomenal 42-4 record, the Warriors are the best team in the NBA and they proved that all the more with a resounding win over the San Antonio Spurs.
ESPN reported the selection of Draymond Green and Klay Thompson. They will be joined by James Harden of the Houston Rockets, Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans, Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers, LaMarcus Aldridge of the San Antonio Spurs and DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings.
Thompson's selection was rather controversial, as he has not been very noticeable in the Warriors' campaign. However, this was not because the quality of play has dipped. It's just that his backcourt mate Stephen Curry has had an incredible season.
Blue Man Hoop recounts how Thompson's late push propelled him to impress the coaches and choose him as a reserve.
The other Splash brother scored 45 points in their game against the Dallas Maverics and connected on 14 out of his 20 shots. This was a game where Steph Curry only scored 14 points and they thought the Warriors might lose.
However, Thompson had other plans. He drilled seven key shots from beyond the arc. BMH also noticed that "many times throughout the night, he came to the rescue when the rest of his team couldn't muster any offense." When the Mavericks appeared poised to make a run and challenge the Warriors, Thompson hit a shot to douse the fire.
Of course, it could be argued that the timing and the Warriors' record were factors that led to his selection, but being the best team in their Conference could not help the Cleveland Cavaliers as LeBron James is their lone All-Star this season.
After John Wall's controversial contention, Kyrie Irving did not get the fan vote and was also not seleceted by the coaches. On the other hand, the coaches did grant Wall a slot for the spectacle set in Toronto.