OAKLAND -– Seven reserves for each All-Star team are chosen by vote of NBA coaches, and Steve Kerr filled out his ballot late Wednesday afternoon.
Though the Warriors coach did not divulge his selections – he conceded the final choice was difficult – he is confident his team should be well represented beyond Stephen Curry, who was voted in as a starter.
Forward Draymond Green and guard Klay Thompson, in particular, are among those who will be considered by Western Conference coaches. The results will be announced Thursday afternoon.
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“With our record, I would hope that we get three guys,” Kerr said. “I think Draymond is an automatic. I’d be shocked if Draymond were left off.
“I think Klay will be in the mix with some other great guards. That’s where it gets tricky. You can make a case for a lot of people.”
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Green is a virtual lock, given his varied contributions to the Warriors and the value a basketball coach places on his assets. Anthony Davis of the Pelicans and DeMarcus Cousins of the Kings will get considerable support.
Golden State Warriors
Coach’s ballots have three slots for frontcourt players, two for guards and two for “wild cards,” who can fit into either category.
Thompson, who started alongside Curry in the backcourt last season, is less certain. Coaches likely will vote for no more than two guards, and his chief competition is Chris Paul of the Clippers, James Harden of the Rockets, Tony Parker of the Spurs and Damian Lillard of the Trail Blazers.
“I expect a couple of us to be there just from the year we’re having,” Thompson said. “Obviously Steph. And Draymond, for sure, leading the league in triple-doubles and with how he impacts things on both sides of the floor. So we’ll see.”
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Kerr is hopeful that Thompson benefits from the Warriors being defending champions and the most dominating team in the league this season.
“The way I’ve always voted,” Kerr said, “if I have two people that are pretty even, I go with the team that’s winning. I think winning should be accounted for when you make your All-Star selections. The whole point of the game is to win.
“I think Klay deserves to be there, because not only of the way he has played by also the way our team has played. I think we deserve to have three there.”