OAKLAND — Warriors coach Mark Jackson said “it would be criminal” if point guard Stephen Curry and power forward David Lee were not selected as All-Star reserves.
“If they do not get voted in, I think you’ve got to question the process,” Jackson said after Golden State’s practice Tuesday. “I’m not going to go all Dr. King. But at the same time, you’ve got to stand for what’s right. These guys have changed this whole organization. If the Lakers can get two guys in, we already know something has got to be done.”
The All-Star reserves are scheduled to be announced Thursday afternoon on TNT. The Warriors probably will get at least one player on the team, breaking their 14-year drought. The last Warrior selected was Latrell Sprewell in 1997.
Golden State will be 10 games over .500 and owner of the fifth-best record in the Western Conference when the coaches, who pick the reserves, submit their ballots Wednesday morning.
Coaches are to select seven players from their respective conference: two backcourt players, three frontcourt players and two wild cards. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players.
It’s hard to predict which Warrior has the best chance to be selected. Lee is the only NBA player averaging at least 19 points, 10 rebounds and three assists this season. It could be argued that no power forward is having a better year.
