Warriors, Kings Shut Out In NBA All-Star Game Reserve Picks

Jan 19, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) holds the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins (5) defends during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The reserves for the Feb. 16 NBA All-Star Game were announced Thursday, with some surprising omissions.

January 15, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors power forward David Lee (10) dunks the ball against Denver Nuggets power forward J.J. Hickson (7) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Nuggets defeated the Warriors 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps chief among those was Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, who was bypassed despite having a career year thus far in 2013-14. In terms of player efficiency rating, Cousins—who ranks sixth in the NBA at 26.5 (average is 15)—was the highest-ranked among the players not chosen.

Cousins has missed Sacramento’s last four games with a sprained ankle, but is averaging a career-high 22.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, three assists and 1.8 steals and is also averaging 1.2 blocks, matching his career best. His 48.8 percent shooting percentage is also the highest of his four-year career.

David Lee of the Golden State Warriors was also not selected. He is averaging 19 points and 9.8 rebounds a game this season on 51.7 percent shooting, but was not selected for his third All-Star Game. He was an All-Star in 2013, as well as in 2010, when he was with the New York Knicks.

The Warriors haven’t had multiple All-Stars since Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullen were in the 1993 game. Guard Stephen Curry was chosen to start the game in fan voting results that were announced last week.

Sacramento has now gone a decade without an All-Star selection. Brad Miller and Peja Stojakovic were the Kings’ last All-Stars in 2004. Since moving to Sacramento in 1985, the Kings have only had five All-Stars: Mitch Richmond (six selections), Chris Webber (four), Stojakovic (three), Vlade Divac and Miller.

The Western Conference reserves include LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, James Harden and Dwight Howard of the Houston Rockets, Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks, Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs and Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Fans selected Curry, along with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Blake Griffin of the Clippers, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves as starters.

The Eastern starters announced last week include LeBron James and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat, Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Paul George of the Indiana Pacers.

Eastern reserves announced Thursday include Chris Bosh of the Heat, DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors, Roy Hibbert of the Pacers, Joe Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets, Paul Millsap of the Atlanta Hawks, Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls and John Wall of the Washington Wizards.