2021 NBA All-Star Draft: 5 key takeaways

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Since the NBA decided to assign the two most popular players in the East and West as All-Star Game captains, letting them choose their teams, the anticipation became intense and thrilling. Everyone involved in basketball, it appeared, was eagerly awaiting the crucial moment:

Who’s the last pick?

It appears that LeBron James and Kevin Durant aren’t particularly impressed with the team currently holding the league’s best record. LeBron, in his explanation, added a bit more criticism, albeit in a playful manner.

The Utah Jazz isn’t being slandered. Even though we grew up playing 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.

Thus, it concludes. The last two players picked in Thursday’s 2021 All-Star Draft were Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, respectively. The experience can be likened to being the final one left in the green room on draft night, albeit on a significantly less intimidating level.

Boosted by a solid February performance, the Jazz climbed the West standings, largely thanks to their two All-Stars. They now have fresh motivation, should they choose to use it. Mitchell and Gobert have the chance to defy expectations, while Malone and Stockton can only spectate from their couches.

The draft for LeBron-KD turned out to be somewhat as expected. Giannis Antetokounmpo was chosen first among the starters, by Team LeBron; while James Harden was the first pick among the reserves, by Team Durant.

LeBron did select Paul George from the Clippers, however, he added a caveat: “This will be the only time I’ll be cheering for this guy and his team.”

Nonetheless, the distribution of players has led to intriguing situations, matchups, and collaborations for Sunday’s game, which we examine here:

Point guard advantage, Team LeBron

Point guards, who typically control the ball and dictate the game’s flow, are often the major source of creativity in All-Star Games. Therefore, it’s logical that Team LeBron is the strong favorite to win the majority of the style points. In an All-Star format, it’s worth noting that style points are almost as important as the actual points.

Team LeBron boasts five point guards, or six including LeBron himself, in contrast to Team Durant’s single natural point guard, Kyrie Irving. If you include Harden, Durant’s team has two, though Harden will likely not be inducted into 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 cleverly managed to maintain the integrity of Brooklyn’s Notorious B.I.G. Three, a move that would have been even more advantageous had he been able to participate in the game. Regardless, Durant’s decision to keep Irving and Harden together serves to further strengthen their chemistry on the Nets, even if it is at the cost of the All-Star Game. Are Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid, potential playoff competitors against the rejuvenated Nets, aware that they’re being strategically positioned by their All-Star captain?

Truce, or consequences

The most delicious subplot involves the pairing of Lillard and George, suggesting that a peacemaker from Team LeBron is required to smooth out what appears to be a somewhat delicate and potentially awkward situation.

Just to jog your memory: During last autumn in the bubble, George ridiculed Dame on social media for missing crucial free throws towards the end of a match, leading to a verbal tussle between the two celebrities. In response, Dame coolly recalled how he had eliminated George from the playoffs with a legendary 35-feet buzzer-beater, accompanied by a puppet wave a few years prior. George later faced harsh criticism on social media when he underperformed in the bubble, with the majority of people supporting Dame.

Despite time often being a healer or at least a soother of anger, Dame, known as one of the league’s more prideful players, believes in a conspiracy theory that he’s not getting the respect he deserves. It’s important to recall that it was Doncic, not Dame, who was chosen by fans to start in the All-Star Game, a recent blow to Dame’s self-esteem.

Four years ago, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, who were previously teammates at Oklahoma City, found themselves at odds during the All-Star Game. Their relationship had become strained after Durant left for the Warriors, causing tension that was evident during the midseason classic. They avoided each other at All-Star team functions, in the locker room, and on the bench, with James Harden playing the peacemaker between them. During the game, they only acknowledged each other casually.

So, who’s going to be chosen as the peacemaker for Dame-PG? LeBron seems to be the most apparent choice since that’s a captain’s role, correct?

LeBron and Curry, teammates at last

They have a shared respect and, until recently, had many significant encounters where each outperformed the other in the postseason, with Curry having a slight edge over LeBron if we consider titles as the ultimate measure. Therefore, it will be a welcome change to see them wearing the same uniform for a change. This game warrants such a change, as do they.

LeBron and Giannis, teammates at last

Last year, they served as captains, contributing to the intrigue of their pairing this year. Another element adding to the interest is that Giannis has been the recipient of the previous two Kia MVP awards. LeBron, who finished in second place last season and expressed dissatisfaction with his number of first-place votes, lost to Giannis in the most recent award.

However, they won’t need a mediator as Dame and PG will, so there’s that.

The best two centers square off

Isn’t it wonderful that Nikola Jokic and Embiid are going up against each other instead of playing together? It’s exactly how it should be, especially in this season where both these towering figures are contending for the MVP awards due to their outstanding performances.

Embiid’s dominance on both sides of the floor is a sight not seen from a center since Hakeem Olajuwon. On the other hand, Jokic is amassing triple-doubles at a rate almost unheard of for a center, demonstrating that size does not prevent one from leading a team or having the offense revolve around them.

So, those are just the peripheral events to the main spectacle. LeBron currently has a three-game winning streak as the captain, and since KD isn’t playing, he can’t personally intervene to prevent this.

In summary, no one is criticizing the game anymore. As a result of the game being played 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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