LeBron James and Kevin Durant Named All-Star Captains

James and Durant will be going head-to-head.

James and Durant will be going head-to-head.

After both demonstrating consistent skills on the court and receiving overwhelming fan support, LeBron James and Kevin Durant have once again been selected as the team captains of this year’s NBA All-Star game, which is scheduled for February 20 in Cleveland.

James has been a captain of an All-Star team for five years since the NBA adopted its current selection system. Even putting aside his captain positions, James has played a role on at least 18 All-Star teams over the years, tying him with the late Kobe Bryant and placing him just behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most All-Star team placements in his career. Meanwhile, Durant is captaining an All-Star team for the second year in a row after receiving an overwhelming majority of fan votes from all sides.

Alongside the captains, the starters for the All-Star game were also revealed. Joining James’ side is Stephen Curry, Ja Morant, Nikola Jokic, and Andrew Wiggins. On Durant’s side is DeMar DeRozan, Trae Young in the backcourt, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Wiggins in particular was rather thrown by his inclusion in the roster. “It was mind blowing,” Wiggins told ESPN after getting the news. “I was taking my pregame nap and my girl and daughter woke me up and told me, ‘You are a starter, you are a starter.’ I thought I was dreaming for a second. I was like, what is going on? It was a good way to learn that I made it to the All-Star, and I am thankful.”