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Durant, Curry drafted first, second in All-Star draft

By

Jacob Hutchinson

/

Last year, Stephen Curry and LeBron James picked the first player-drafted All-Star teams. Last year wasn’t televised, but fortunately, this year was, after James himself said it should be. That decision to televise this year’s draft between James and Giannis Antetokounmpo did not disappoint.

With the first pick of the draft, James drafted Durant (again). The results weren’t announced last season, but Ernie Johnson asked James after the first round of the draft, and he admitted that he drafted Durant first last year as well.

Antetokoumpo’s reaction was understandable.

“Kevin Durant,” Antetokounmpo said. “That’s a good pick.”

Then, Antetokounmpo drafted Curry.

“So, the Golden State boys are off the board,” James said.

Below are the starters and reserves selected by James and Antetokounmpo, in order.

Team LeBron starters, in order: Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, James Harden

Team Giannis starters, in order: Curry, Joel Embiid, Paul George, Kemba Walker

After the starters were selected, Antetokounmpo and James made a show out of the reserves, especially after Antetokounmpo picked his teammate, Khris Middleton first, setting up James’ first bench pick, Anthony Davis.

It comes after Davis put in a trade request with the Lakers as one of his primary destinations, and talks between the Lakers and Pelicans dissolved (or maybe never existed from the Pelicans’ point of view). The Lakers have also been accused of tampering to bring Davis in and were accused fined $500,000 for tampering with Paul George last offseason.

Antetokounmpo asked James, “Isn’t that tampering?”

LeBron responded, smiling, “Tampering rules do not apply on All-Star Weekend.”

Team Giannis reserves: Middleton, Nikola Jokic, Ben Simmons, Blake Griffin, D’Angelo Russell, Nikola Vucevic, Kyle Lowry

Team LeBron reserves: Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard, Russell Westbrook, LaMarcus Aldridge, Karl-Anthony Towns, Bradley Beal

Then, to spite James, Antetokounmpo picked Ben Simmons.

Antetokounmpo: “With my third pick, I’m going to go with Ben Simmons.”

LeBron: “Sh**.”

But the theatrics didn’t end there. After the draft, James proposed a trade of Westbrook for Simmons in order to pair Westbrook with one of his many rivals, Joel Embiid. Antetokounmpo, being the kind gentleman he is, obliged.

Embiid’s reaction was typically hilarious:

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