NBA All-Star 2019: Team LeBron vs Team Giannis

 

 

MANILA, Philippines – LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo emerged as the top two players voted to start in the 2019 NBA All-Star Game on February 17 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

James and Antetokounmpo will serve as team captains and draft the All-Star rosters from the pool of players voted as starters and reserves in both the Western and Eastern conferences.

The team rosters will be unveiled in a special All-Star Draft Show on February 7.

As the top overall finisher in fan voting, @KingJames will make first pick in the First Round (Starters). @Giannis_An34 will have first pick in the Second Round (Reserves).
After the first pick in a round, picks will alternate until all players in that round have been selected. pic.twitter.com/VHpBw9p6xf

— 2019 NBA All-Star (@NBAAllStar) January 25, 2019

 

Here are the top 10 players – 2 guards and 3 frontcourt players from each conference – voted by fans, NBA players, and a medial panel: 

WESTERN CONFERENCE

• LeBron James, Lakers (15th All-Star selection)
• Stephen Curry, Warriors (6th All-Star selection)
• Kevin Durant, Warriors (10th All-Star selection)
• Paul George, Thunder (6th All-Star selection)
• James Harden, Rockets (7th All-Star selection)

The Western Conference @NBAAllStar Starters Pool!@KingJames @JHarden13 @StephenCurry30 @Yg_Trece @KDTrey5 #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/PnkabEbUVm

— NBA (@NBA) January 25, 2019

 

EASTERN CONFERENCE

• Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks (3rd All-Star selection)
• Joel Embiid, 76ers (2nd All-Star selection)
• Kyrie Irving, Celtics (6th All-Star selection)
• Kawhi Leonard, Raptors (3rd All-Star selection)
• Kemba Walker, Hornets (3rd All-Star selection)

The Eastern Conference @NBAAllStar Starters Pool! @Giannis_An34 @KyrieIrving @KembaWalker @kawhileonard @JoelEmbiid #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/bLwuc8d6sV

— NBA (@NBA) January 25, 2019

 

This marks James’ 15th All-Star game start, tying him with Kobe Bryant for the most of all-time. He has not played since injuring his groin in a Christmas Day victory over the Warriors. 

Walker is the lone first time starter among the 10 starters.

Each of the West’s starters have been named an All-Star at least 6 times. 

Irving leads the East starters with a half dozen selections. Antetokounmpo is making his third all-star appearance. 

James, who was also the top overall vote receiver in 2018, will select first from a pool of players voted as starters and reserves to fill out Team James. 

Reserves will be announced next Thursday, January 31. – With a report from Agence France-Presse