Wade, Nowitzki named special additions to NBA All-Stars

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA (AA) - NBA's actively playing legends Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade have been selected to play in the upcoming All-Star game in Charlotte, North Carolina on Feb. 17.

The announcement was made by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in a written statement on Friday.

“Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade embody the best of the NBA: remarkable skill, drive and professionalism as well as a deep devotion to strengthening their communities and growing the game around the world,” said Silver.

“As a global celebration of basketball, our All-Star Game is an ideal setting to salute these first-class NBA champions and Finals MVPs.”

Dallas Mavericks forward Nowitzki and Miami Heat guard Wade will be selected in an additional third round in the NBA All-Star Draft to be live televised on Feb. 7.

Western Conference's top vote-getter Lebron James and Eastern Conference's top vote-getter Giannis Antetokounmpo will select the first eight All-Star Game starters in the first round, the 14 reserves in the second round, and Nowitzki and Wade in the third round.

Here are the All-Star starters selected by fan votes, media and players:

Western Conference: Lebron James (Los Angeles Lakers), James Harden (Houston Rockets), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Paul George (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Eastern Conference: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks), Kawhi Leonard (Toronto Raptors), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), Kyrie Irving (Boston Celtics), Kemba Walker (Charlotte Hornets)

Here are the reserve squads selected by the NBA coaches:

Western Conference: Anthony Davis (New Orleans), Nikola Jokic (Denver), LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio), Damian Lillard (Portland), Klay Thompson (Golden State), Karl-Anthony Towns and Russell Westbrook

Eastern Conference: Bradley Beal (Washington), Blake Griffin (Detroit), Khris Middleton (Milwaukee), Kyle Lowry (Toronto), Victor Oladipo (Indiana), Ben Simmons (Philadelphia) and Nikola Vucevic (Orlando)