NBA All-Star Game 2016: Steve Kerr Can't Coach West, East Missing Their Own After Blatt Gets Axed
The NBA All-Star Game starters have already been determined but the basketball festivities still has one problem - who are going to coach the Western and Eastern Conference teams?
Cleveland Cavaliers is East's no. 1 team and its coach is automatically assigned to oversee East's bench. However, they just made a shocking decision to fire their coach David Blatt.
If they will stay at the top of the standings this January, NBA.com's Steve Aschburner said Blatt's replacement, Tyronn Lue, might take his place, but this is still being studied.
Over the Western Conference, no.1 team Golden State Warriors have Stephen Curry among the NBA All-Star Game starters, making him the first Warrior since Rick Barry in 1974-76 to be included in the starting five. His inclusion is a no-brainer.
But just like the East, the West have no coach as of this writing.
Warriors' assistant coach Luke Walton took over the reign after Steve Kerr opted to rest because of back injury. During the former Lakers' stint, he propelled Warriors into a 27-0 NBA record and to the top of the standings.
Then, Kerr returned during their win against the Cavs.
Does this mean Walton will miss the chance to coach in ASG? The league said they are still reviewing the Western Conference All-Star coaching situation.
"We are reviewing our rules around the West coach situation to determine what is appropriate," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said as per report by Aschburner.
According to the rule, a coaching staff cannot coach in two straight NBA All-Star Games. However, the dilemma for officials is that Walton was not part of Kerr's staff last year.
If Walton is not allowed to coach, the Western Conference team might be handed to Greg Popovich of San Antonio Spurs which is second with 36-6 record.
NBA All-Star Game starters are Dwyane Wade (Mia), Kyle Lowry (TOR), Lebron James (CLE), Paul George (IND) and Carmelo Anthony (NYK) for the Eastern Conference.
They will go up against Western Conference's Curry, Russell Westbrook (OKC), Kobe Bryant (LAL), Kevin Durant (OKC) and Kawhi Leonard (SAS).
The 65th NBA All-Star Game will tip off on Sunday, Feb. 14 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
