NBA All-Star Game: Chris Paul, Blake Griffin First Clippers Starters Since 1980

Read More: Chris Paul (G - LAC), Dirk Nowitzki (F - DAL), Pau Gasol (F - LAL), Andrew Bynum (C - LAL), Kobe Bryant (G - LAL), Kevin Durant (F - OKC), Blake Griffin (F - LAC), Los Angeles Clippers

The NBA on Thursday afternoon revealed the starters for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game, to be held at the Amway Center in Orlando on Sunday, February 26, and the Los Angeles Clippers have made history. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin were both named starters for the Western Conference, the first All-Star starters for the franchise in 32 years.

The last Clippers player to start an All-Star Game was World B. Free in 1980, when the franchise was located in San Diego.

Paul was second among guards in the Western Conference. Paul will start alongside Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, who led all Western Conference guards in votes. This is the fifth consecutive All-Star selection for Paul, who will be a starter for the fourth time in his career.

Griffin, who was an All-Star reserve in his rookie season last year, finished second among Western Conference forwards. He will start alongside Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who garnered ... votes. Griffin beat out fellow forwards Dirk Nowitzki and Pau Gasol for his first All-Star start.

Andrew Bynum of the Lakers will start at center for the Western Conference, giving Los Angeles four of the five starters.

For more news and analysis of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and the Clippers, be sure to read Clips Nation.