NBA All-Star Game draft: LeBron James selects Curry, Giannis; KD goes for Irving, Embiid

LeBron James and Kevin Durant have chosen their respective rosters for the game on Sunday (Monday IST) at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta at the NBA All-Star Game draft. While Durant will be sitting the game out due to his hamstring injury, he still selected the team, choosing one extra player in his stead. James, having played against Giannis Antetokounmpo for the past two All-Star Games, selected the Milwaukee Bucks to star as his first pick. Durant opted for his teammate Kyrie Irving. 

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NBA All-Star teams

Team LeBron roster 

Starters

• LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers 
• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
• Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
• Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
• Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Reserves

• Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
• Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
• Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns
• Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
• Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
• Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers
• Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz

Team Durant roster

Starters

• Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets
• Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
• Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers
• Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
• Jason Tatum, Boston Celtics

Reserves

• James Harden, Brooklyn Nets
• Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
• Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
• Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
• Julius Randle, New York Knicks
• Nikola Vučević, Orlando Magic
• Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz

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Durant, despite not playing this weekend, drafted his two teammates in the available pool of player. With all three chosen as All-Stars, this is the first time in NBA history that three Nets players have been selected. Bradley Beal, snubbed last year, is a starter for Durant's roster. 

Though fans were happy with some selections, many voiced disappointment over Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell getting picked last. As the Jazz enter the All-Star break with the league-leading record, many expected them to be picked earlier. Steph Curry, back at the All-Star game after being sidelined most of the 2019-20 season, was selected second by James. 

"I just try to pick players that can complement one another," James said, picking Giannis as his No. 1 pick. "It's an All-Star Game, so it's going to be some shenanigans out there, but for the majority of the game we just play the right way and try to get a win".

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Per reports, this is also the first time a captain will not participate in the game. Jayson Tatum replaced Durant, who also chose Embiid, Kawhi Leonard, along with St Louis natives Bradley Beal and Jayson Tatum. Both Beal and Tatum are close friends, having grown up together while attending Chaminade College Prep high school five years apart. 

A clip of Durant and James interacting before Durant's 2010 All-Star debut was also shown. 

Charities for the game were also announced. Team LeBron will play for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Team Durant will play for the United Negro College Fund. "For us to be able to shed light on that program, shed light on those kids, it means a lot to me and my foundation and the things we do in my hometown," James explained. Durant spoke about their pick, honoured to be able to represent so many people. 

NBA All-Star jerseys

The NBA All-Star jerseys were leaked a few hours before the draft took place. In Indiana Pacers-inspired colourway (blue and yellow), the uniform appeared too mundane to many fans. Before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the game to be scheduled in Atlanta's State Farm Arena, Indianapolis was the chosen venue for the NBA All-Star game. 

Terms like 'horrendous' and 'garbage' were used, most people demanding blue and red colourway. "Just cancel the All-Star game at this point," one fan wrote, seemingly also referring to other problems the NBA has faced regarding the game. 

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(Image credits: NBA Cares Twitter)