Draymond: Warriors deserve 4 All-Stars for 2nd year in a row
Throughout the history of the NBA All-Star Game, which dates all the way back to 1951, there have been eight instances of one team sending four players to compete in the exhibition showcase.
The 2017 Golden State Warriors were the most recent to do it, with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green representing the Western Conference in New Orleans.
Currently sitting atop the Association with a 33-9 record, Green feels this year's Warriors squad has played well enough to warrant four All-Stars once again, which would make them the first franchise to ever pull that off in consecutive years.
"I kind of heard quite a bit this year that we should only get three max, but I don't see why not four?" Green told ESPN's Chris Haynes. "If winning has been the (blueprint to get four stars in) every year, why should it change up?"
4 All-Stars from 1 team
| Year | Team | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Boston Celtics | Tom Heinsohn | Bill Russell | Bob Cousy | Sam Jones |
| 1975 | Boston Celtics | John Havlicek | Dave Cowens | Jo Jo White | Paul Silas |
| 1983 | Philadelphia 76ers | Julius Erving | Moses Malone | Maurice Cheeks | Andrew Toney |
| 1998 | Los Angeles Lakers | Kobe Bryant | Shaquille O'Neal | Eddie Jones | Nick Van Exel |
| 2006 | Detroit Pistons | Rasheed Wallace | Ben Wallace | Chauncey Billups | Richard Hamilton |
| 2011 | Boston Celtics | Kevin Garnett | Ray Allen | Paul Pierce | Rajon Rondo |
| 2015 | Atlanta Hawks | Al Horford | Paul Millsap | Jeff Teague | Kyle Korver |
| 2017 | Golden State Warriors | Kevin Durant | Stephen Curry | Klay Thompson | Draymond Green |
The Western Conference talent pool is more stacked than it's ever been, considering four All-Stars from last year's Eastern Conference team have since made the switch. Green still believes, however, the Warriors have played themselves into a position where it's not unreasonable for them to have four All-Stars, even with the added depth out West.
"With Jimmy (Butler) coming over, with Carmelo Anthony coming over, KAT (Karl-Anthony Towns) obviously an up-and-comer. That's probably why it's more of a debate now, but I don't see why it should change. Our record is pretty good," Green added.
Curry is currently the leading vote-getter in the West, followed by Durant, so it's safe to assume they'll both get in as starters, leaving Green and Thompson at the mercy of the coaches to be selected as reserves.
Related: Durant doesn't want to pick All-Star team, but Curry not opposed
The 2018 All-Star Game takes place on Feb. 18 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Starters and captains for both sides will be revealed on Jan. 18, and the reserves on Jan. 23.