Going up against the Chicago Bulls in the second night of a back-to-back after suffering defeat to the Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry received some positive news heading into the game that he'd be selected as an All-Star starter for his 11th appearance this coming February.

And don’t forget, this past offseason, the Warriors lost a $30 million chunk of salary when they jettisoned Chris Paul strictly for luxury tax avoidance. The NBA owners wanted a system that brought big-market, big-spending teams like the Warriors to heel, and they received it.

The other starters in the Western Conference pool are Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson were named starters in the East. A combination of fans, media and players vote to select starters, while coaches draft reserves.