The revamped All-Star Game drafting is made televised this year for the first time, and NBA fans watched as LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo made their picks. James and the Greek Freak became the team captains of the respective squads because they topped the votes from media, fans, and coaches. But which composition turned out better? NBA fan and analyst Michael Volitich offers his two cents below.
 |
| Image
source: sports.yahoo.com |
James took Kevin Durant first for his Feb 17 team in the All-Star Game in Charlotte. Antetokounmpo took Stephen Curry. Both picks are members of the Golden Warriors. It was the second consecutive year LeBron took Durant as first pick. Alongside James and Durant, other players comprising Team LeBron’s starters are Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, and James Harden.
 |
Image source: http://damainsource.com
|
Giannis picked Curry, Joel Embiid, Paul George, and hometown player Kemba Walker. In the second round, he took Bucks teammate Khris Middleton, Ben Simmons, Blake Griffin, D’Angelo Russell, Nicola Vucevic, and Kyle Lowry. LeBron picked Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, Russell Westbrook, LaMarcus Aldridge, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Bradley Beal. Finally, James took friend Dwyane Wade while Antetokounmpo picked Dirk Nowitzki in the special third round of the pick to honor the two retiring players.
But which team is better? Obviously, James managed to get the better selection, despite trading Simmons for Westbrook in this first All-Star trade. Team LeBron’s starters are made up of four NBA champs and three league MVPs. Giannis’ team is significantly weaker and slower, despite being the taller five outside Curry. LeBron’s team is simply more explosive and is the hands-down winner, says Michael Volitich.
Creative Writing student Michael Volitich is finishing his degree at the University of Florida. He likes reading sports biographies and autobiographies as well as watching films that feature the intensity of athletic events. For more NBA-related reads, go to this page.
