Curry, Davis and Gasol brothers to start in All-Star Game
NEW YORK (FIBA Basketball World Cup/NBA) - Numerous players have used the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup as launchpads for terrific NBA seasons.
The fans have taken notice by voting a handful into the starting line-ups for the All-Star Game that will take place on Sunday 15 February at Madison Square Garden.
Stephen Curry, fresh off his second straight title-winning performance with the USA at a World Cup, has seen his popularity skyrocket since returning to Golden State and leading the Warriors to a league-best 34 wins and just six defeats.
The 26-year-old point guard was a part of the Americans' high-octane attack, contributing both on defense and offense.
Curry, who is averaging 23.2 points and 8.1 assists per contest for the Warriors, had trailed the Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James in the overall vote count but passed him at the end and finished with 1,513,324 votes to James' 1,470,483.
Stephen Curry receives 1,513,324 votes, leading LeBron James by 42,841 for most in the league: http://t.co/QEdWa8BWWt pic.twitter.com/r6HdqvPtgp
— NBA.com (@NBAcom) January 23, 2015James, a two-time Olympic champion with the USA, was the leading vote-getter for last year's All-Star Game when he was still a player with the Miami Heat.
Curry will be a starter in the Western Conference team's backcourt with Los Angeles Lakers veteran Kobe Bryant, while in the frontcourt will be another star from the USA World Cup side, Anthony Davis.
The New Orleans Pelicans big man dominated in games at Spain 2014 and showed why many people believe he will one day soon become the best player in the sport.
One of his finest outings was against Turkey when he poured in 19 points and had some rim-rattling dunks.
Spain's most famous players, Pau and Marc Gasol, only made it to the Quarter-Finals of the World Cup but the former was a member of the All-Star Five presented by Tissot.
Both have rebounded and had spectacular campaigns with their NBA teams and have been voted in as starters for the All-Star Game.
Marc, 29, is pouring in 19.3 points and corralling 8.2 rebounds per game for the Memphis Grizzlies, helping them to second place behind Golden State.
He will start at center for the West, with Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers the other starter.
Pau is averaging 18.6 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in his first season with the Chicago Bulls. Fans have voted him in as the starting center of the Eastern Conference squad.
Unforgettable night family!! Thanks for making this incredible honor for @MarcGasol & myself a reality. #AllStar2015 #Honored #Thankful
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) 23 Janvier 2015It will be a moment of immense pride for everyone in Spain to see their two icons run onto the floor and compete against each other.
I mean, why WOULDN'T you vote for the Gasols as All-Stars? pic.twitter.com/NK91qZmGLo
— Rey-Rey (@TheNoLookPass) January 23, 2015James and Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks have also been named starters in the East team's frontcourt, with Washington Wizards playmaker John Wall and Toronto Raptors scoring machine Kyle Lowry in the backcourt.
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