The NBA announced its starters for the 2021 All-Star Game in Atlanta to little surprise.
The frontcourts from both conferences were predictable selections, all bona fide MVP candidates: LeBron James, Nikola Jokic and Kawhi Leonard in the West; and Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo in the East.
As each conference's leading vote-getter among fans, James and Durant will serve as captains in a playground-style draft to be announced at a later date. They will take turns picking first among the eight other starters announced on Thursday before drafting the 14 reserves, who will be selected by the league's coaches and announced on Tuesday.