2024-01-26 00:36:02
LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo will be at the All Star Game. JIM POORTEN/Getty Images via AFP
The list of starters for the All Star Game on February 18 was revealed last night on US TV.
LeBron James more than ever in history. After equaling Kareem Abdul-Jabbar last year with a 19th selection for the All Star Game, the King is now alone at the top of the pyramid: the list of starters for the all-star game on February 18 was revealed overnight last, on TNT, and he is obviously part of it. This list was concocted based on votes from the public (50%), players (25%) and journalists (25%). 20th selection for the Lakers winger, who topped the fan votes. His first selection dates from 2005, during his second season in the NBA. Giant.
Remember that the NBA returned to the old format for the All Star Game, with the West against the East. In the West, “King James” will team up with Nikola Jokic (Denver), Kevin Durant (Phoenix), Luka Doncic (Dallas) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC). For the two places reserved for the backs and leaders, the latter notably got the better of Stephen Curry (Golden State), who should be one of the replacements who will be revealed in a week. Coaches will be asked for this list, with three “frontcourt” players (winger, power forward, pivot), two “backcourt” (back, leader) and two wild cards. Boys like Anthony Davis (LA Lakers), Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden (LA Clippers), Domantas Sabonis, De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento), Devin Booker (Phoenix) and Kyrie Irving (Dallas) will be among the contenders for a spot at the party in Indianapolis.
Gobert and Wembanyama in the waiting room
We will also find one… or several players from Minnesota, starting with Anthony Edwards, but perhaps also Karl Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert. The latter represents the best French chances of appearing in the All Star Game. This would be a fourth selection for the former Choletais, big favorite for the title of best defender of the year. And Victor Wembanyama? Given the competition and the results of Spurs, good last in the West, he does not leave with the favor of the forecasts… “Wemby” will certainly have to be content with a place in the Rising Stars Challenge (February 16) and in the Skills Challenge (February 17), even if Adam Silver could be sensitive to his popularity when replacing a withdrawn player…
In the East, no surprise for the trio composed of Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia) and Jayson Tatum (Boston). Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana) will be right at home. Damian Lillard (Milwaukee) will complete the five, despite the current setbacks of the Bucks, who are defenseless and have just changed coaches. This is the choice that will get people talking the most. Who among the potential replacements? We can cite Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle (New York), Trae Young (Atlanta), Jaylen Brown (Boston), Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo (Miami), Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland), Paulo Banchero (Orlando) and Tyrese Maxey ( Philadelphia). Non-exhaustive list.
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