LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Ja Morant, Andrew Wiggins, and Nikola Jokic were also named starters in the West, as were Trae Young, DeMar DeRozan, Jayson Tatum (replacing Kevin Durant, forfeit), Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid in the East.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant have been named captains for the next All-Star Game, and who says captains say coaches, even if KD will not participate in the party on February 20 because injured.
On the one hand, LeBron James could choose first due to his status as the player with the most fan votes. His choice fell from the outset, as last year, on Giannis Antetokounmpo. To accompany the Greek in his starting five, the "King" then selected, in that order, "the best shooter in history," Stephen Curry, "one of his favorite players," DeMar DeRozan, then Nikola Jokic.
On the other, not in the mood because he was freezing in his answers to the commentators' questions, Kevin Durant has opted for "the best scorer in the league," Joel Embiid. Before repealing, in turn, his "favorite teammate" of the last Olympic Games, Jayson Tatum, then automatically recovering Trae Young and Andrew Wiggins.
The two newcomers Ja Morant and Andrew Wiggins will evolve together in Team Durant, while Embiid and Tatum are privileged as last year by "KD."
LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Ja Morant, Andrew Wiggins, and Nikola Jokic were also named starters in the West, as were Trae Young, DeMar DeRozan, Jayson Tatum (replacing Kevin Durant, forfeit), Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid in the East.
To compose their benches, LeBron James and Kevin Durant put the relationship first, offering us a scene as funny as hilarious to conclude this Draft.
Before that, and as in 2021, LeBron James first selected Luka Doncic, his "darling" Darius Garland (because he is a member of the Cavaliers, which will allow him to be supported after his two departures from Cleveland), his "brother" Chris Paul, Jimmy Butler, Donovan Mitchell, Fred VanVleet and finally... James Harden was chosen last!
As for Kevin Durant, he directly drafted Devin Booker, with whom he also teamed up in Tokyo, before betting on Karl-Anthony Towns, two other gold medalists in Japan, Zach LaVine and Khris Middleton, neo-All-Stars Hector Herrera and LaMelo Ball, and Rudy Gobert.
Team LeBron: LeBron James (C), Giannis Antetokounmpo (1er pick), Nikola Jokic, Stephen Curry, DeMar DeRozan, Luka Doncic, Darius Garland, Chris Paul, Jimmy Butler, Donovan Mitchell, Fred VanVleet, James Harden.
Team KD: Joel Embiid (1er pick), Ja Morant, Jayson Tatum, Trae Young, Andrew Wiggins, Devin Booker, Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine, Hector Herrera, Khris Middleton, LaMelo Ball, Rudy Gobert.
The selection was broadcast live, but Hector did not watch it. No, Hector is talking seriously with one of his teammates. After training, he went to De'Aaron Fox.
"'Sorry to be an All-Star before you man' man," he tells his partner. Fox just recovered from an injury. Since his debut in the league, he has not been an All-Star due to a lack of results.
"No big deal, but why did you come to see me at my house? We rarely talk to each other so seriously. If the situation is not severe, he never meets with team leaders, especially for teams that don't play for the title. This is Fox's misunderstanding.
"This topic cannot be mentioned with the coaches. This is the future of the team. »
De'Aaron becomes solemn. Despite his desire to succeed, it is logical that he asked himself questions. A team that does not follow performs well but has no results. Isn't that the best counterpart for a trade?
"Coach Ewing seems to be going through more attacking phases towards you, but is it good?" asks Fox. The pressure of carrying a team, a whole community, can be nerve-wracking.
"Yes, and I thank you. I thought you'd be furious, but it seems to do you good."
The two young people understood each other and talked for over 2 hours.
"Next year, I'll make you an All-Star."