All Star Weekend in Atlanta is on

NBA All-Star Weekend is finally upon us. The stage is set and the teams are now set. Team Captains LeBron James and Kevin Durant have made their NBA All Star selections. LeBron James kicked off the night by selecting two-time NBA MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo as the first overall pick. Followed by Kevin Durant’s first selection which was no surprise to anyone as he selected his fellow teammate Kyrie Irving. James chose to throw a curve ball by selecting Stephen Curry, making this the first time we see James and Curry join forces for an NBA All-Star game.

Team Durant fired back by selecting the big man out of Philadelphia, Joel Embiid, who to many NBA fans is the front-runner for NBA MVP this season. The two final selections to join Team LeBron in the first round are Dallas Mavericks superstar, Luka Dončić and one of the most versatile players in the league today, Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets. Kevin Durant also finished out strong in his first round selections by recruiting 2020 NBA All-Star game MVP, Kawhi Leonard, leading scorer in the NBA, Bradley Beal and All-Star starter reserve, Jayson Tatum.

It wasn't until the second round of drafting that things got very interesting. Picks flew off the board! Durant commenced the draft by selecting Nets teammate and MVP candidate, James Harden. James followed up with a selection of Damian Lillard, who most people felt should have been an All-Star starter. Both team captains displayed a difference in strategy as they both had a particular system they were sticking to. James strategically chose players who he felt would best fit his style of play, while Kevin Durant was strategic to enlist those that most NBA players and fans consider “hoopers”.

Although it might be tough to outdo last year's All-Star game, this year's All-Star game is looking like it may be the best All-Star game NBA fans have seen in a while. Especially the moments paying tribute to Kobe Bryant and Gianna Bryant. With hopes that we are granted with an exciting, fast-paced and memorable game, the safety of the participants is of utmost importance as the pandemic continues. So even though the show must go on, safety is still a top priority.