NBA All-Star 2016 Fun Facts: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry Make History

By Mitch de Leon
NBA: Toronto Raptors at Detroit Pistons
Feb 8, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) drives to the basket against Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) during the second quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills.  Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

The 2016 NBA All-Star is one of the most widely anticipated games in the basketball world. The best players from different NBA squads team up to deliver a face off to remember. Hence, fans have been incredibly active in campaigning for their favorite stars. In fact, the NBA stars themselves have been reported nominating themselves as well as their teammates whom they feel will make the game more exciting. Needless to say, the 2016 NBA All-Star game will be an action packed match to remember.

The 65th NBA All-Star Game will be held at the Air Canada Center in Toronto. The massive event will be aired in the United States via TNT and ESPN Radio on Sunday (February 14) at 8:00 pm ET. Meanwhile, NBA fans in Canada can catch the All-Star game via Sportsnet ONE and TSN.

Apart from the 65th NBA All-Star Game, the basketball community also celebrates the 21 seasons of the Toronto Raptors in the league. Notably, the first ever NBA game was actually held in Toronto on November 1, 1946. The Maple Leaf Gardens saw the said match happen which showed off the skills of the New York Knicks and the Toronto Huskies in the hardwood court.

This year, the number of NBA stars from Canada this season have exceeded those from any other country in the world. To date, 12 Canadian stars are in the league with three of them included in the 2016 NBA All-Star Weekend. The list includes Trey Lyles, Dwight Powell and Andrew Wiggins who will be competing in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Raptors have been given something to celebrate aside from their anniversary. For the first time in 44 years, Toronto managed to have two players to enter the All-Star event. This achievement was made possible by Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors. The Eastern Conference team will see Lowry as a starter while DeRozan will come off the bench. The last time Toronto snagged this accomplished was in the 1972 All-Star Game. Held in Los Angeles, the previous NBA match saw Canadians Gail Goodrich and Jerry West represent the Los Angeles Lakers.

Outside Canada, another group makes history. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson have given the Golden State Warriors the honor of having three stars to join the NBA All-Star game. This has not happened in 40 years when Phil Smith, Jamaal Wilkes and Ricky Barry carried the NBA team's name in the 1976 All-Star Game.

The 65th NBA All-Star Game will feature LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Paul George and Lowry in the starting lineup of the Eastern Conference. The team's bench players are Chris Bosh, Andre Drummond, Pau Gasol, Paul Millsap, Isaiah Thomas, John Wall and DeRozan.

The Western Conference's starting lineup have Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook. Their backups are LaMarcus Aldridge, DeMarcus Cousins, Draymond Green, Anthony Davis, James Harden, Chris Paul and Klay Thompson. 

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