LeBron picks Durant, Irving for NBA All-Star Game 2018

NEW YORK, USA (UPDATED) – LeBron James will play alongside Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant and former team-mate Kyrie Irving in next month’s NBA All-Star Game, it was revealed on Thursday, January 25.

Cleveland Cavaliers icon James, who this week became only the seventh player in NBA history to pass 30,000 points, captains a powerful starting line-up against opposite number Stephen Curry’s selection.

As well as Durant and Irving, James will be joined by New Orleans’ in-form duo of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins.

LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio Spurs), Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards), Kevin Love (Cleveland), Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers), Kristaps Porzingis (New York Knicks), John Wall (Washington) and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder) are reserves.

Curry’s team meanwhile will feature Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors, Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid and James Harden of the Houston Rockets.

Curry’s roster of reserves includes Jimmy Butler of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Al Horford (Boston), Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers), Kyle Lowry (Toronto), Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota) and Golden State team-mates Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.

LeBron James: ‘Easy choice’ to select Boston Celtics’ Kyrie Irving for NBA All-Star Game https://t.co/WBVrp2m5Ez

— Boston Celtics News (@BstnCelticsNews) January 26, 2018

Westbook reacts to joining James and Durant.

Russell Westbrook on Being Picked in LeBron’s Team 2018 NBA All-Star Game #TeamLeBron #NBAAllStar2018 #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/JNY4TC5XIE

— Jay (@KJayHighlights) January 26, 2018

The 67th NBA All-Star Game will be staged at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 18.

The format for the All-Star game was tweaked this year, with the two players polling the most votes – James and Curry – chosen as captains.

They then picked their own teams by taking turns from a pool of players selected as starters and reserves, regardless of conference affiliation.

James’ team – Team LeBron – will be coached by the head coach with the best record from the Eastern Conference in games through February 4. Curry’s team will adopt the same policy in picking their coach from the Western Conference.

Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens and Golden State’s Steve Kerr are both ineligible because they coached in last year’s All-Star Game. – Rappler.com