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January 19, 2018Every season and even every game, it seems as though Cleveland Cavaliers point-forward LeBron James does something that not many others have done. On the verge of being the youngest player (and seventh overall) in NBA history to notch 30,000 points1, the 33-year-old was named an All-Star starter and team captain, the league announced Thursday night.
Besides his rookie season, James has been named an All-Star starter for the 14th consecutive time, which is the longest streak in NBA history, surpassing Bob Cousey’s 13 consecutive appearances. The King will also be just the second player to start at least 14 All-Star games, trailing only Kobe Bryant (15).
In the midst of yet another MVP-type season, James was averaging 27.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 1.1 blocks, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 55.7 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from beyond the arc in 36.9 minutes per game (43 games) before being named an All-Star starter. The Cavs may be struggling, but it’s not due to James’ output. He’s been named both the Eastern Conference Player of the Week (Week 7 and Week 9) and East Player of the Month (October/November)
James will be joined by Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid, Boston’s Kyrie Irving, and Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan, who were also selected as starters from the East. The West’s five are Golden State’s Steph Curry and Kevin Durant, Houston’s James Harden, and New Orleans’ Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins.
How were the starters determined, you ask? Fans accounted for 50 percent of the vote2, while all current NBA players and a panel of media members accounted for 25 percent each.
For the first time ever, the All-Star Game won’t be the traditional East vs. West matchup. Instead, each conference’s leading vote-getters—James and Curry—will be team captains. Because No. 23 had the most votes in the league, he will get the first pick. They will have a snake draft until all 10 starters are selected. After the starters are determined, the same will then be done for the reserves as well.
This will lead to plenty of storylines. Will James be forced to team up with Irving like the old days? Will Westbrook and Durant be on the same team? Will No. 23 keep the Warriors from playing together for one game this season? If anything, this new format will add plenty of intrigue, entertainment, and fun to the All-Star Game.
Once the reserves are unveiled3 on January 23, the team rosters will be revealed January 25. Mistakenly, the draft that will take place between James and Curry will not be televised.
The 67th All-Star Game is on Sunday, February 18, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
3 Comments
http://www.deargodwhyussports.com/uploads/2/1/9/7/2197555/1496568_orig.gif
You sound like a Cav.
Eh it’s an improvement I guess.