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          NBA players react on social media to All-Star reserves

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          Pierce: All-Star format changes is a good tribute for Kobe (1:40)

          Paul Pierce, Matt Barnes and Zach Lowe react to the changes to the All-Star Game format, which will be a tribute to Kobe Bryant. (1:40)

          • ESPN.com
          Jan 31, 2020, 12:42 AM

          With the starters announced for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game in Chicago last week, it was time for the reserves to be officially revealed Thursday. The Eastern Conference will be represented by Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, Ben Simmons, Khris Middleton, Jayson Tatum, Bam Adebayo and Domantas Sabonis. The West bench will feature Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Nikola Jokic, Rudy Gobert, Brandon Ingram, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul.

          It did not take long for players and their teammates to celebrate the selection of newly minted All-Stars like Tatum and Gobert, two of the six first-time All-Stars named.

          Multiple players expressed their dismay at the names left off the roster, particularly Suns guard Devin Booker. Phoenix GM James Jones released a statement that read "I've played with and against multiple All-Stars in this league and Devin Booker is undoubtedly an NBA All-Star." Booker's NBA colleagues, including close friend Karl-Anthony Towns, were more direct.

          Lou Williams, the three-time Sixth Man of the Year and perennial fringe All-Star selection, was not named. The LA Clippers guard had a few things to say on the matter.

          MORE: NBA All-Star debate -- big questions about the starters