2014 NBA All-Star Starting Line-up Announced

Last night via a live TNT broadcast, the starters for the upcoming 2014 NBA All-Star game were announced. All-Star weekend, which will be held in New Orleans this year, is still a few weeks away and the bench players have yet to be announced. Both the East and the West starting five where chosen 100% by the fans. The bench players in turn will be determined by the coaches.

The East: 

• Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers)
• Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)
• Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks)
• Paul George (Indiana Pacers)
• LeBron James (Miami Heat)

The West:

• Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
• Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
• Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)
• Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers)
• Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves)

Kobe has already stated he will not be playing. No one knows if the Black Mamba doesn't think he'll be healed by then or if he's more focused on helping his beloved Lakers and doesn't want to risk any addition injury that might befall him should he play in the All-star game. On the other hand, the Clippers' point guard, Chris Paul, who's currently out with a separated right shoulder has said if he can, he will play.

The NBA world also seems stunned that Houston's center, Dwight Howard didn't make the starting cut. He was beat out by other left coast big men, Blake Griffin and Kevin Love.

All that's left is who the coaches will choose to come off the bench, which may prove to be more interesting than the starters, at least in the grand scheme of who will actually win. There are quite a few professional speculations and sports purist analysis, but in the end...no ones knows. Only time will tell.