LeBron, Giannis Named Captains For NBA All-Star Game

LeBron, Giannis Named Captains For NBA All-Star Game

By: Francis Joseph

All Star Game starters:
Eastern Conf: Giannis Antetokounmpo(c), Kawhi Leonard, Joel Embiid, Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irwing.
Western Conf: LeBron James(c), Paul George, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Stephen Curry.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo will serve as team captains of the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 17 in Charlotte, North Carolina, after receiving the most votes in their respective conferences.

James led all players in voting, and Antetokounmpo led the Eastern Conference vote. The captains will be tasked with drafting the All-Star Game rosters from the pool of players voted as starters and reserves in each conference.

In the Western Conference, James is joined in the starter pool by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George, Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant, Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Houston Rockets guard James Harden.

George won a tiebreaker over New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis for the final frontcourt starting spot. In the Eastern Conference, Antetokounmpo will be joined by Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard, Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid, Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker and Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving.

This will be James' 15th All-Star Game start, tying Kobe Bryant for the most in NBA history.

James also is tied with Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Shaquille O'Neal for third all time with 15 overall All-Star Game appearances; only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19) and Bryant (18) have more.