The 2011 NBA All-Star game is set to tip-off right around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday night at Staples Center as some of the game’s best hit the floor for a glorified exhibition. On the West side of the court, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Clippers forward, and late All-Star Game addition, Blake Griffin and Oklahoma City Thunder wing Kevin Durant highlight a star-studded cast sure to entertain. Orchestrating the whole show for the West is Chris Paul, the talented passer from the New Orleans Hornets.
The West roster represents a changing of the guard, with a mix of young and old in this year’s All-Star Game. From Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki to Durant, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love, two separate generations of NBA stars and potential stars hit the court on Sunday night to take-on a loaded East team.
Carmelo Anthony joins Bryant, Paul, Duncan and Durant in the starting five for the West amid a bevy of trade rumors. Anthony is caught in the middle of a three-way trade triangle, with both the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets vying for his services. While the Nuggets are looking to unload him before the trade deadline, the rumors have been exhausting for many, but may finally be winding to a close. Add that in for an interesting subplot in Los Angeles.
The action begins at 5:30 p.m. on TNT. For more on the game, check out our NBA All-Star Game StoryStream.