Captains LeBron James and Stephen Curry selected the 2018 NBA All-Star Game teams with Russell Westbrook landing on team James.
In recent years the NBA All-Star Game has become nothing short of an offensive showcase. Looking back in history there were some amazing All-Star Games which were highly competitive.
Hoops heads are familiar with the under rated NBA TV program, The Starters. It’s a mixture of humor, intelligence, stats and current events.
In case you aren’t familiar, one of the host Australian Leigh Ellis has a complete fixation on the 1987 All-Star Game. And, for good reason as this particular game is noteworthy because of how competitive it was.
It required Renaldo Blackman to hit two free throws to send the game into overtime. The video showcases Blackman shooting with banged up fingers screaming “confidence baby, confidence!”
Time for a change:
Even with overtime the final score of 154-149 pales in comparison to recent All-Star Game scores. For example, last season the final score was 192-182. The NBA wants to promote the best in the game and their offensive talents in this exhibition. However, the game in its finest form also displays solid defense. And, if we’re honest it’s what true fans enjoy watching.
Hey, you have to go back 17 seasons to the 2000-2001 Lakers(19th) to find a team who won the title that wasn’t a top ten ranked defensive squad.
This led to the remix of the 2018 All-Star Game and the new concept to utilize captains in a school yard style team selection.
Sometime Thursday afternoon Steph Curry and LeBron James contacted each other and conducted this first time selection. Unfortunately, the drafting of the Team James and Team Curry was not televised. Presumably to save the last player selected embarrassment.
One player who wouldn’t have to worry about that distinction is likely Russell Westbrook who is a two-time All-Star MVP and affords his team the ability to score, rebound and set up his teammates via dimes. While we don’t know what the order of selection was, we do know Westbrook is on team James.
Related: Westbrook selected to as All-Star reserve
Here’s how the rosters shake out:
Team LeBron:
Starters:
- LeBron James (Captain)
- Kyrie Irving
- Kevin Durant
- Anthony Davis
- DeMarcus Cousins
Reserves:
- Russell Westbrook
- Victor Oladipo
- John Wall
- Bradley Beal
- LaMarcus Aldridge
- Kristaps Porzingis
- Kevin Love
Team Steph:
Starters:
- Stephen Curry (Captain)
- DeMar DeRozan
- James Harden
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Joel Embiid
Reserves:
- Kyle Lowry
- Damian Lillard
- Klay Thompson
- Jimmy Butler
- Karl-Anthony Towns
- Draymond Green
- Al Horford
https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/956708652488056832
Takeaways from team selections:
Clearly LeBron selected Kevin Durant first and presumably Stephen Curry picked James Harden first. It is plausible Curry selected Antetokounmpo with his first draft pick. But, doubtful because then LeBron would’ve snagged Harden.
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Curry and James both stated the draft selection should’ve been televised. Ernie Johnson pointed out the NHL did a similar school yard pick and the last player selected won a car.
Clearly Curry wanted his two Warriors (besides can you imagine Draymond on LeBron’s team?). Oh to be a fly in the wall to know whether LeBron and Steph discussed this prior since they paired many teammates on their squads. To wit, LeBron has the two Pelicans (Cousins/Davis), two Wizards (Wall/Beal) and his own teammate (Love).
Meanwhile, Curry has the two Raptors (DeRozan/Lowry), two Wolves (Butler/Towns) and his own teammates (Green/Thompson).
The biggest shocker of the draft is LeBron James selection of Kyrie Irving. Perhaps James just likes to be surrounded by controversy because he also has Durant and Westbrook playing together.
For most fans I think there was the hope the opposite situation would occur with Irving being on the opposite side of James and Westbrook being on the opposite side of Durant.
The 2018 NBA All-Star Game will occur on Sunday, February 19th in Los Angeles at the Staples Center.
Related: Westbrook not amused by Paul George omission from All-Star team
All-Star Saturday Night event participants to be confirmed:
Earlier this week the Rising Stars roster was announced. All-Star Saturday Night participants is the only portion of the weekend events still to be confirmed. The three events scheduled for that are portion are of the weekend are the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, the JBL Three-Point Contest and the Verizon Slam Dunk Competition.
Perhaps ‘the powers that be’ will ask Paul George and/or Lou Williams to participate in the three point or skills challenge to make up for his snub.