Team Lebron and how they earned their All-Star selection

With huge changes to the All-Star game this year, the NBA has done away with Conference based teams (though for some asinine reason 12 players still have to be picked from each conference). With two team captains in Lebron James and Stephen Curry, the leading vote-getters in their respective conferences, the teams were chosen from a pool of All-Stars in a draft. Focusing on the Eastern Conference Captain’s team in this article and the Western Conference Captain’s team in another, here are the starting five for ‘Team Lebron’. (Note: Paul George may or may not start, Demarcus Cousins has been injured and in my opinion George would be the best replacement, keeping a lengthy shooting guard, as Durant was the SG previously.)

Captain — Lebron James

Leading the MVP race along with Rockets Star James harden, James has had an exceptional 2017–18 season so far. Despite a utterly bad 2018 so far, Lebron James has starred in a team that has been almost unbearable to watch. To date, James is averaging 26.3PPG/8.1RPG/8.9APG. A small forward, in his 15th year in the NBA, is 5th in Scoring, 3rd in assists averaging both a block and a steal a game. Despite some team struggles and, to be fair, some personal struggles so far this year, Lebron has had an amazing 2017–18 season and was the clear leader in votes for Captain of the Eastern Conference.

Forward — Kevin Durant

Taken as what we would assume was the first pick by Lebron in the All-Star draft, Kevin Durant is the best player in the world. After the captain of his team, of course. With 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists a game while shooting 51.9%FG and 42.1%3P Durant has been nothing short of spectacular. Not to mention the huge bounds in defensive prowess he has made this year, averaging 2 blocks and close to a steal a game, he has proven himself to be a legitimate rim-protector.Best player on the best team in the NBA, Durant should be taken with the first pick in any draft that Lebron is not eligible.

Center — Anthony Davis

What more can be said about Anthony Davis other than the fact that he is just an absolute beast. Seen as someone with the potential to be the best player in the NBA and one of the best ever, Davis has had an injury riddled career. His 2017–18 NBA season though, has not been great. Due to both where the Pelicans are in the standings as well as the season ending injury to All-Star teammate and Team Lebron member Demarcus Cousins. Averaging 27 Points to go along with 10 rebounds, Davis is an amazing player. He was also, ya know, just the MVP of the All-star game last season with 52 points. Anthony Davis is by far the best power forward in the game.

Guard — Kyrie Irving

With the demand for a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers in the offseason, Irving was killed by media members for leaving The King, Lebron James. Now the leader of the First Place Boston Celtics this season, Irving is averaging 24.6PPG/3.6RPG/5.0APG on 48.5%FG and 39%3P. Leader of the teams defence (despite being known as a poor defender) as the point guard, the Celtics are the best defensive team in the NBA. Not to mention the fact that Kyrie can get a bucket easier than anyone in the league with his absolutely insane ability to control the ball like it’s on a string and finish at the rim.

Guard — Paul George**

Making a big move to Oklahoma from Indiana in the Off-season, George, along with the Thunder, struggled to start the season. However they have slowly gained the team chemistry needed for what is hoping to be a Championship contender. This season, George is in the race for Defensive player of the year, leading the league in steals with 2.2SPG, while averaging the 3rd highest PPG of his career (22.4) with three assists and 5.4RPG, George has had a great season so far, with the Thunder looking primed to make a run for the 3rd seed in the West.

The reserves for ‘Team Lebron’ are as follows:

• LeMarcus Aldridge: Averaging 22.4 PPG with 8.4RPG and 2.0 APG, Aldridge has led the Spurs to the 3rd seed through 59 games as the teams only star, clearly earning his spot.
• Bradley Beal : With John Wall playing 22 games less than Beal this year, Beal has been the main star of the Washington Wizards. Averaging 23.4PPG, 4.5RPG and 4.2APG Beal has earned his spot this year after narrowly missing out previously.
• Goran Dragic** : Though his numbers may not scream out ALL-STAR to the regular fan. However, Dragic has been the main-man on the Miami Heat who are fighting for a play-off position, with solid averages of 17PPG, 4.8APG, 4RPG. The NBA Commissioner deemed it fit for Dragic to be selected, rather than two 76ers (Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid) who have been barely better than the heat this season.
• Andre Drummond** : The league leader in rebounds this season while putting up 15 Points and increasing last years average assists by close to three, Drummond has led the Pistons into a fight for a playoff seed. He will be hoping that the addition of Blake Griffin will bring them from the outside of the eight to deep inside.
• Victor Oladipo : The 2017–18 season has been a breakout season for Victor Oladipo. Improving his points production by 9 from last year with 24.4PPG to go with 5.4RPG and 4.1APG and 2.2 steals, he has been fantastic this year. Keeping the Pacers in the fight for the playoffs and the ability for a higher seed (with the 6th right now), nobody saw this coming after last season’s stint in Oklahoma City.
• Kemba Walker** : With 23PPG, 3.3RPG and 5.8APG, Kemba Walker has been wasted on a bad Charlotte team. In tenth place and still in the fight for the playoffs there can be no doubt that Walker is an All-Star (In the Eastern Conference, of course).
• Russell Westbrook : The MVP of last season, has been nothing short of exceptional this season. nearly averaging yet another triple-double this season with 25.5PPG, 9.3RPG and 10.3APG and leading the Thunder to the 5th seed, Russell Westbrook has been doing Russell Westbrook things.

With four injuries to key members of ‘Team Lebron’ in Demarcus Cousins, Kristaps Porzingis, Kevin Love and John Wall, ‘Team Lebron’ does not look as strong as it did at first, though it is still a great squad. No matter who is chosen by Lebron to start for the injured Cousins, the best player in the world, with the second best alongside him and surrounded by 10 other of the best players in the NBA , it will be one tough task to defeat them.