Houston Rockets guard and league scoring leader James Harden was named Thursday as a starter for the upcoming 2020 NBA All-Star Game.
Five starters — two backcourt, three frontcourt — were announced from both the Western Conference and Eastern Conference, as determined by voting from fans (50%), players (25%), and media members (25%).
Among the West players, Harden was selected alongside Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic in the backcourt and a frontcourt comprised of three Los Angeles forwards in LeBron James and Anthony Davis from the Lakers, and Kawhi Leonard from the Clippers.
The top vote-getters in each conference were James from the West and Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in the East. In two weeks, they will each “draft” a team for the game — beginning with four selections each from the pool of other starting players (which includes Harden), and then seven picks each among reserve players.
The All-Star Game reserves, which could include Rockets guard Russell Westbrook, will be announced next Thursday, Jan. 30. The reserves are determined by votes from the league’s coaches.
As for Harden, the 30-year-old has now made the All-Star team in all eight of his seasons with the Rockets, and as a starter in six of them.
In the 2019-20 season, the former MVP and future Hall of Famer is scoring a league-leading 36.6 points per game for the Rockets (27-16). That point total represents highest average by any NBA player in over 30 years. Harden is also in the NBA’s top 10 in assists at 7.4 per game.
With Harden in the starting lineup, the 2020 All-Star Game will take place Sunday, Feb. 16 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
