The NBA changed its All-Star format this year, naming the top two vote-getters as team captains and then letting them select their rosters in a fantasy draft format, rather than simply pitting the East against the West. LeBron James and Stephen Curry picked their All-Star rosters on Thursday, drafting in a private conference call rather than in a televised event.
While the behind-closed-doors nature of the draft left many fans disappointed, some fun storylines were still created as a result of the picks themselves. James’ team is headlined by Kevin Durant, with LeBron believed to have snatched up the reigning Finals MVP before Curry had a chance to select his Warriors teammate. Elsewhere on the roster, Kyrie Irving will reunite with LeBron, while Russell Westbrook will once again team up with Durant. James also kept multiple current teammates together, adding the Pelicans frontcourt and the Wizards backcourt to his roster.
On paper, James’ team looks like the more talented squad, particularly when comparing frontcourt players. However, Curry is pleased with his roster, suggesting that he had a particular strategy in mind entering Thursday’s draft, as Mark Medina of The Bay Area News Group relays.
“I got something different, a different style,” Curry said. “Just trying to find some scorers and some guys who can spread the floor and all that. I’m pretty sure [Mike] D’Antoni will be the coach. So next-level thinking. I got to give him a lineup that he can coach and play up tempo and spread the floor and shoot a lot of threes.”
Here are the full rosters:
Team LeBron:
- Starters:
- LeBron James, F
- Kyrie Irving, G
- Kevin Durant, F
- Anthony Davis, F/C
- DeMarcus Cousins, C
- Reserves:
- Russell Westbrook, G
- John Wall, G
- Bradley Beal, G
- Victor Oladipo, G
- Kevin Love, F
- Kristaps Porzingis, F/C
- LaMarcus Aldridge, F/C
Team Steph:
- Starters:
- Stephen Curry, G
- James Harden, G
- DeMar DeRozan, G
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, F
- Joel Embiid, C
- Reserves:
- Kyle Lowry, G
- Damian Lillard, G
- Klay Thompson, G
- Jimmy Butler, G/F
- Draymond Green, F
- Al Horford, C
- Karl-Anthony Towns, C
What do you think? Which team will pull out the victory on All-Star weekend? Vote below in our poll and jump into the comment section to share your thoughts on the game, the format, or the draft.
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Team Lebron is better than Team Curry. Drafting The Snake and the best frontcourt in the NBA is enough to beat any team. Pair that with a great PG and better reserves, you’re just asking to win. Steph should’ve focused on positions other than SF to begin with, why would you take Giannis when Lebron already has 2 SF (including himself) Lebron took Kyrie last among starters because he knew Steph wouldn’t need him
When you said The Snake it took me a second to realize who you were talking about lol
valid point
If it were not an All Star game, I would pick LeBrons team, but that last paragraph has me leaning towards Stephs team.
“I’m pretty sure [Mike] D’Antoni will be the coach. So next-level thinking. I got to give him a lineup that he can coach and play up tempo and spread the floor and shoot a lot of threes.”
Team LeBron. But the fact we’re all picking differently is pause enough to say this year the AS game should at least be fun through the first half if not the entire game.
Team Curry wins a shootout…Team LeBron wins in the physical and athleticism sides. I don’t think Team Curry has the ability to defend LeBron, Durant, AD, and Kyrie/Westbrook at the same time, but Team Curry can also just chuck up 3s to their hearts content.
nobody plays defence in the all-star game. but I would favorite LeBron’s team to win, although it really is a coin flip.