2021 NBA All-Star Draft: 5 key takeaways

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Since the NBA started appointing the two players with the highest fan votes in the East and West as All-Star Game captains who could select their teams, the suspense became intense and captivating. It appeared as if the entire basketball community was eagerly awaiting the big moment.

Who’s the last pick?

LeBron James and Kevin Durant apparently don’t have much faith in the team currently sporting the best record in the league. To add further to this, LeBron, in a lighthearted manner, deepened the wound with his explanation.

There’s no disrespect intended towards the Utah Jazz. Much like in our childhood video games, we never chose to play as Utah. Despite the greatness of players like Karl Malone and John Stockton, we never selected them in video games.

In conclusion, Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert were the final two selections in Thursday’s 2021 All-Star Draft, respectively. This situation can be likened to being the last one in the green room on draft night, albeit on a significantly less intimidating scale.

The Jazz ascended in the West standings following a robust performance in February, significantly aided by their two All-Stars. They will clearly have new motivational material at their disposal — if they deem it worth employing. Mitchell and Gobert have the opportunity to defy skeptics; however, Malone and Stockton can merely observe from their living room.

The draft involving LeBron and KD turned out to be relatively predictable. Giannis Antetokounmpo was the first pick among the starters for Team LeBron, while James Harden was the first choice among the reserves for Team Durant.

LeBron selected Paul George from the Clippers, but added a caveat: “This will be the only time I’ll support this guy and his team.”

Regardless, the distribution of players has resulted in intriguing scenarios, matchups, and collaborations for Sunday’s game, which we examine here:

Point guard advantage, Team LeBron

If point guards are the primary source of creativity in All-Star Games – which is logical, as they usually control the ball and decide the next move – then Team LeBron is highly likely to secure the majority of style points. It’s important to remember that in an All-Star format, style points are nearly as crucial as actual points.

Team LeBron boasts five point guards, or six if you consider LeBron as one, which he undoubtedly does. On the other hand, Team Durant only has one true point guard, Kyrie Irving, or two if you include Harden, despite the fact that he will not be recognized in the Hall of Fame as a point guard.

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 shrewdly managed to preserve Brooklyn’s Notorious B.I.G. Three, a move that would have been even more advantageous if he was actually able to participate. Regardless, his decision to keep Irving and Harden together was a smart move to further enhance their synergy as Nets, even if it meant sacrificing the All-Star Game. Are Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid aware that they’re being manipulated by their All-Star captain, especially considering they might face the rejuvenated Nets in the playoffs?

Truce, or consequences

The most intriguing subplot is the partnership between Lillard and George, implying that a peacemaker from Team LeBron will be required to manage what seems to be an unstable, if not awkward situation.

To jog your memory: During the bubble last autumn, George made fun of Dame on social media for missing late-game free throws, sparking a duel of words between the two stars. Dame serenely reminded everyone of how he had previously eliminated George from the playoffs with his legendary 35-foot puppet-wave buzzer-beater. Later, when George had his own struggles in the bubble, he was heavily criticized on social media by those firmly on Dame’s side.

Time often helps to heal or at least soothe any form of anger. However, Dame, being one of the more prideful players in the league, believes he’s not receiving the respect he deserves – a conspiracy theory he subscribes to. It’s worth noting that it was Doncic, not Dame, who was selected by fans to start in the All-Star Game, a decision that served as the latest blow to Dame’s ego.

Durant and Russell Westbrook had an awkward experience as teammates in the All-Star Game four years ago. The two, formerly colleagues at Oklahoma City, had a falling out when Durant switched to the Warriors. Their feud was on public display during the midseason classic, as they avoided interacting at team events, kept their distance in the locker room and on the bench, and only briefly acknowledged each other during the game. Harden, friends with both, attempted to mediate the situation that weekend.

So, who will be designated as the mediator for Dame-PG? The most apparent nominee is LeBron, since that’s the role of a captain, isn’t it?

LeBron and Curry, teammates at last

They share a mutual respect, and in the not-so-distant past, they have had numerous significant moments in the postseason where they managed to outdo each other (Curry more so than LeBron, if championships are the ultimate measure). Therefore, it will be a refreshing change to see them playing on the same team for once. This game warrants such an occurrence, as do they.

LeBron and Giannis, teammates at last

Last year, they served as captains which is one reason why their pairing will be intriguing. Another reason is that Giannis has clinched the last two Kia MVP awards. The latest was won over LeBron, who ended up as runner-up and expressed disappointment about the number of first-place votes he received.

However, unlike Dame and PG, they won’t require a mediator, so that’s a plus.

The best two centers square off

Isn’t it fantastic that instead of being on the same team, Nikola Jokic and Embiid will challenge each other? That’s the way it should be, particularly this season, as both these towering players are contenders for the MVP awards due to their outstanding performances.

Embiid exhibits dominance on both ends of the court in a way that hasn’t been seen from a center since Hakeem Olajuwon. On the other hand, Jokic is amassing triple-doubles at an almost unprecedented pace for a center, proving that size doesn’t prevent one from leading a team, or at the very least, being the focal point of the offense.

So, those are the mere distractions from the main event. LeBron is currently on a triad of victories as a leader, and with KD not participating, there’s nothing he can personally do to halt that.

Here’s the broader perspective: No one is griping about the game anymore. As a consequence of the game being played in Atlanta, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities will receive recognition and funding. Furthermore, Sunday will be dedicated purely 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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