Kevin Durant will not play in the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, recovering from a hamstring injury. This weekend it was announced that the Brooklyn Nets forward will still serve as a team captain, lining up against LeBron James to choose opposing squads, playground style. Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis will replace Durant in the actual game.
The “captains” system was an interesting wrinkle when it came out. Lack of superstar movement and imbalance in conference strength had made All-Star lineups predictable, if not boring. Watching different combinations of players, lining up for more balanced teams, brought excitement back to the event for a year or two.