New Zealand's Steven Adams has missed out on a starting berth at next month's NBA All Star game.
The league announced the starters from both the Western and Eastern Conference on Friday (NZ time), which were determined by a mixture of voting between fans (50 percent), players (25 percent), and media (25 percent).
Adams was beaten out in the forwards category by superstars LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Thunder teammate Paul George.
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Neverethless, the final results prove it was a strong showing for the Rotorua native, who's amid the best season of his young career to date.
Adams finished sixth in fan ranking, seventh in player ranking, and eighth in media ranking, which when compiled place him seventh overall among Western Conference forwards, above the likes of Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns and Warriors nemesis, Draymond Green.
The 25-year-old still stands an excellent chance of earning a spot on the reserves bench pending the results of the coaches' voting, due to be announced on Friday February 1.
The West's back court spots are occupied by the scorching hot James Harden and Warriors point guard Stephen Curry. James was named captain for the second consecutive year.
On the Eastern side of the draw, Bucks phenomenon Giannis Antetokounmpo will captain a group that also features Sixers centre Joel Embid, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker.
The final make-up of the teams will be determined by captains James and Antetokounmpo, who will draft the rosters from the pool of players voted as starters and reserves in each conference, making their selections regardless of conference affiliation.
That selection process will be aired live for the first time on Friday February 8, ahead of the game itself on Monday February 18.
Newshub.
