With Lakers guard Kobe Bryant out for the rest of the 2014-15 season because of a surgically repaired right shoulder, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver named Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins as his replacement.
This will mark Cousins’ first NBA All-Star appearance after ranking fifth in the NBA in scoring (23.8 points per game) and third in rebounding (12.3 rebounds). The league noted in a release that Cousins represents one of six players to average at least 23 points and 12 rebounds in a season, including David Robinson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan and Kevin Love.
Cousins may have filled Bryant’s vacant spot. But Golden State coach Steve Kerr, who will coach the Western Conference All-Stars, will determine who replaces Bryant as the starting lineup for the All-Star game on Feb. 15 in Madison Square Garden.
Golden State head coach Steve Kerr, who earned the right to coach the West squad because the Warriors clinched the best record in the conference through games played Feb. 1, will determine who replaces Bryant in the starting lineup.
The 64th NBA All-Star Game will tip off Sunday, Feb. 15, at Madison Square Garden. The game will be seen by fans in 215 countries and territories and will be heard in 47 languages. TNT will televise the All-Star Game for the 13th consecutive year, marking Turner Sports’ 30th year of NBA All-Star coverage.
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