2021 NBA All-Star Draft: 5 key takeaways
Kevin Durant and LeBron James provide a summary of their teams for the 2021 NBA All-Star Game.
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From the time the NBA started appointing the two players with the most fan votes in the East and West as All-Star game captains and letting them choose their teams, the suspense became intense and captivating. It appeared as if everyone in the basketball world was eagerly waiting for this significant moment.
Who’s the last pick?
It appears that LeBron James and Kevin Durant don’t have much faith in the team that currently holds the league’s best record. LeBron even went a step further in his explanation, humorously taking a dig at them, it should be noted.
The Utah Jazz aren’t being disrespected. We just never chose to play with them in video games during our childhood, despite the talents of Karl Malone and John Stockton. We simply never selected those players in the games.
In conclusion, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert were the last two players chosen in Thursday’s 2021 All-Star Draft, in that sequence. This situation is akin to being the last ones left in the green room on draft night, albeit on a less intimidating level.
The Jazz capitalized on a prosperous February to ascend in the West standings, significantly assisted by their two All-Stars. They are clearly equipped with new fodder for motivation, if they deem it beneficial to use. Mitchell and Gobert have the opportunity to defy doubters; conversely, Malone and Stockton can merely observe from their couch.
The draft for LeBron-KD generally went as expected. Giannis Antetokounmpo was chosen first among the starters by Team LeBron, while James Harden was the initial selection among the reserves by Team Durant.
LeBron selected Paul George from the Clippers, but added a caveat: “This is the only time I’ll support this guy and his team.”
Regardless, the distribution of players has led to intriguing scenarios, matchups, and collaborations for Sunday’s game, which we evaluate here:
Point guard advantage, Team LeBron
As the Warriors and Mavs face each other, lead guards Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic share a laugh.
If the majority of creativity in All-Star Games comes from point guards, which is logical since they control the ball and influence the next move, then Team LeBron is the clear favorite to earn the most style points. It’s worth noting that in an All-Star format, style points are nearly as important as the actual points.
Team LeBron boasts five point guards, and six if you consider LeBron as one (which he certainly does), in contrast to Team Durant which only has one true point guard, Kyrie Irving (or two, if you consider Harden, even though he won’t be registered as a point guard when he enters the Hall of Fame).
Chris Paul, Steph Curry, Luka Doncic, Damian Lillard and Ben Simmons will each trigger more than a few fast breaks and lob passes and how-did-he-do-that passes headed straight for YouTube. Team LeBron therefore ranks as Sunday’s likely leader in video starts.
Brooklyn 1-2-3
Durant, showing wisdom and cunning, preserved Brooklyn’s Notorious B.I.G. Three, a move that would have been even more advantageous had he been fit to play. Regardless, his decision to keep Irving and Harden together was a smart one, allowing them to further develop their chemistry as Nets, even if it came at the cost of the All-Star Game. Are Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid, who may face the revitalized Nets in the playoffs, aware that they’re being played by their All-Star captain?
Truce, or consequences
After years of intense and occasionally personal rivalry, Clippers swingman Paul George and Blazers guard Damian Lillard will join forces this Sunday.
The most intriguing subplot is the duo of Lillard and George, implying that someone from Team LeBron has to play the peacemaker role in what seems, initially, to be a delicate or even awkward situation.
Just to refresh your memory: In the bubble last fall, George ridiculed Dame on social media for missing crucial free throws at the end of a game, sparking a tit-for-tat between the two stars. Dame coolly recalled the time he “sent him packing” from the playoffs a few years prior with his memorable 35-foot buzzer-beater, accompanied by his iconic puppet wave. Later, when George had a rough time in the bubble, those who sided with Dame roasted him on social media.
Time has a tendency to heal, or at least soothe, any anger. However, Dame, being one of the league’s prouder players, believes in a conspiracy theory that he’s not being given the respect he deserves. It’s important to note that it was Doncic, not Dame, who was chosen by fans to start in the All-Star Game, which served as another blow to Dame’s ego.
Durant and Russell Westbrook were on the same All-Star Game team four years ago, but it was far from a harmonious experience. The ex-teammates from Oklahoma City had a falling out when Durant switched teams to play for the Warriors, which led to a notorious feud that was evident during the midseason spectacle. They maintained their distance during All-Star team events, in the locker room, and on the bench, with only a few casual interactions during the game. Harden, who is friends with both, tried to mediate over the weekend.
So, who will be selected as the peacemaker for Dame-PG? LeBron seems to be the most likely choice, as that’s typically a role a captain would fulfill, isn’t it?
LeBron and Curry, teammates at last
Their relationship is marked by mutual respect and, not so far in the past, they’ve had numerous significant instances in the postseason where each one triumphed over the other (with Curry prevailing over LeBron if championship titles are the ultimate measure). Hence, it will be a refreshing change to see them on the same team for a change. This game merits such a combination, as do they.
LeBron and Giannis, teammates at last
Last year, they served as captains, contributing to why their pairing will be intriguing this year. Another factor is that Giannis has clinched the last two Kia MVP awards. Moreover, last season’s award was won over LeBron, who ended up as the runner-up and expressed dissatisfaction with the number of his first-place votes.
However, unlike Dame and PG, they won’t need a mediator, so that’s a plus.
The best two centers square off
Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic, being on opposing All-Star teams, are set to create a formidable showdown at the center position.
Isn’t it wonderful that Nikola Jokic and Embiid are going to compete against each other, instead of playing on the same team? It’s really the way it should be, particularly this season when both of these talented players are vying for the MVP awards due to their outstanding performance.
Embiid’s dominance at both ends of the floor is unmatched by any center since Hakeem Olajuwon. On the other hand, Jokic is accruing triple-doubles at an almost unrivaled pace for a center, displaying that size doesn’t hinder leading a team or being the focal point of the offense.
Thus, those are the minor events surrounding the main event. LeBron is currently on a winning streak of three games as captain, and with KD not playing, there’s nothing he can personally do to halt that.
In essence, no one is complaining about the game anymore. As a result of the game taking place in Atlanta, Historically Black Colleges and Universities will receive honor and funding. Furthermore, Sunday will be dedicated entirely to enjoyment.
Even the Jazz will enjoy it.
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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