LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo Captaining For 2023 All-Stars Game

LeBron James
LeBron James

LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo have been named as the captains for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game, set to take place next month in Salt Lake City. James, who is currently averaging 29.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.0 assists per game in his age-38 season, ties Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most All-Star Game appearances with 19.

This is the sixth year in a row that LeBron James has been a captain, since the NBA started using the format of two captains drafting their individual teams. On the other hand, Antetokounmpo will be a captain for the third time and will be an All-Star for the seventh consecutive season. He is currently averaging 31 points, 12 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Joining LeBron James among the starters selected from the Western Conference are New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, and Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic. The other East starters alongside Antetokounmpo are Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant and his teammate Kyrie Irving, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell.

LeBron James Making Headlines For Captaincy

The starters were selected through a weighted voting process, in which a fan vote accounted for 50% of the outcome, with player and media votes each counting for 25%. Sixers center Joel Embiid just missed the cut after ranking third among East frontcourt players in the player and media rankings but fourth in fan voting. Lakers forward Anthony Davis placed third among West frontcourt players in fan voting but seventh and sixth in the player and media rankings, respectively.

In conclusion, this year’s NBA All-Star Game promises to be an exciting event with some of the best players in the league competing against each other. With LeBron James and Antetokounmpo leading their respective teams, fans are in for a treat as they get to see the two superstars go head-to-head on the court.