The NBA slightly changed its All-Star Game format, as the top vote-getters in each conference were named captains and are will draft their own teams from the pool of other All-Stars. In the East, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo were battling for the top spot. while Golden State Warriors teammates Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry were neck-and-neck in the West.
This year’s All-Star Game is taking place in Los Angeles at the Staples Center for the first time since 2011 and it will undoubtedly be a star-studded weekend. Many fans are excited about the new combination possibilities and which superstars will be teamed together.
All of the votes from the fans, players, and media have officially been tallied. LeBron James was announced as the captain of the East with Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving, and DeMar DeRozan joining him as starters via the NBA’s Official Twitter:
The Eastern Conference @NBAAllStar Starters Pool! #LeBronJames#GiannisAntetokounmpo#JoelEmbiid#KyrieIrving#DeMarDeRozan#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/2UABWqrjEr
— NBA (@NBA) January 18, 2018
As far as the Western Conference goes, Stephen Curry was named the captain and will be joined by Kevin Durant, James Harden, Anthony Davis, and DeMarcus Cousins via the NBA’s Official Twitter:
The Western Conference @NBAAllStar Starters Pool!#StephenCurry#JamesHarden#AnthonyDavis#KevinDurant#DeMarcusCousins #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/pftbGABdu8
— NBA (@NBA) January 18, 2018
These two being named as the captains is great for the league as two of their biggest stars will go face-to-face in choosing teams. There are still questions as to whether the draft itself will be televised as many are calling for it, though the current plan is for it to occur behind closed doors.
The festivities will be taking place all weekend with the Celebrity Game and Rising Stars Challenge taking place on Friday, Feb. 16, and All-Star Saturday Night which includes the 3-Point Shootout and Slam Dunk Contest, will be Feb. 17, then the All-Star Game itself on Sunday.
While the Los Angeles Lakers won’t have representation in the All-Star Game itself, they will surely be well represented the rest of the weekend.
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