The NBA All-Star festivities are a few days away, and some of the league’s top players will be in action. Players like LeBron James, Jayson Tatum and more were named starters, while others like Cade Cunningham and Anthony Edwards were named reserves.
Anthony Davis was named a reserve, which marks his 10th time making the coveted game. He became an All-Star as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, but a historic trade suddenly changed things.
The Lakers sent the 31-year-old power forward/center to the Dallas Mavericks for Luka Doncic. Davis made his debut with his new team and had a strong showing before exiting the game with an injury. With the news that he is out multiple weeks with an adductor strain, the league replaced him with a familiar face. They chose his new Mavs teammate Kyrie Irving, who some would say was snubbed from making it in the first place.
Irving is averaging 24.1 points, 4.8 assists and 4.6 rebounds. This selection makes him a nine-time All-Star and back in 2014, Irving won All-Star MVP after finishing with 31 points and 14 assists.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd praised the veteran point guard while speaking with media and mentioned that he has had an “All-Star season” for Dallas. Before that, he campaigned for Irving and then Mavericks guard Doncic to be All-Stars.
The 2016 NBA champion spoke on missing the All-Star game before he was named a replacement. Mavericks beat writer Mike Curtis shared a quote and clip of Irving’s reaction.
“Not really disappointment. It’s more or less just what it is. It’s just accepting it and moving forward.” Irving said.
Now, he will be a member of Team Shaq in the All-Star game’s new tournament format.
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