LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks will be the captains of the two teams that will face off in the NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 19 in Salt Lake City.
For James, it will be a 19e career participation in the All-Star Game, which will allow him to equal Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record for the most appearances in this event.
The NBA is using the captains format for a sixth year. James has captained the previous five editions, and he has emerged victorious each time.
As for Antetokounmpo, this will be his third all-star game as captain, he who also received this honor in 2019 and 2020.
PHOTO RON SCHWANE, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Giannis Antetokounmpo
James and Antetokounmpo will choose the members of their teams just before the meeting in Salt Lake City, which is new for this year. Previously, teams were formed one to two weeks before the event.
If there are no injuries or other unforeseen events by then, the other eight starters in the All-Star Game will be Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets), Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks), Stephen Curry (Warriors of Golden State), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers), Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans), as well as teammates Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn Nets).
The starters were chosen after a vote where public support counted for 50% of the final score, those of the media for 25% and those of the players themselves for 25% as well.
The reserves, who will be chosen by the coaches of the various teams in the league, will be announced on February 2.