LeBron James Reportedly Wins 2018 NBA All-Star Fan Vote
January 18, 2018
Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James has reportedly won the overall fan vote for the 2018 NBA All-Star Game, according to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.
As the leading vote-getter, LeBron would be one of two captains who select teams from a pool of All-Stars in a draft, a format that is new to the All-Star Game this season.
James has now won the fan vote for the second consecutive year, and Vardon theorized that he will likely get the first overall pick in the All-Star draft as a result.
Per Dan Feldman of Pro Basketball Talk, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry held a narrow lead over teammate Kevin Durant in the voting results released on Jan. 11 among Western Conference players.
If either Curry or Durant emerges, it will create an NBA Finals-esque feel with the Cavs (LeBron) going up against the Warriors in the draft.
LeBron and the leading Western Conference vote-getter will be free to draft whichever All-Stars they please regardless of conference affiliation.
That means LeBron could keep things politically correct by selecting Cavaliers teammate Kevin Love, or he could mix things up by taking a Warriors player such as Curry, Durant, Klay Thompson or Draymond Green.
With James as a captain, there is no doubt that the biggest storyline will center on whether he selects former Cavs teammate and current Boston Celtics star Kyrie Irving.
While the All-Star draft will not be televised, the final rosters will be revealed on Jan. 25.
The 2018 NBA All-Star Game will be played on Feb. 18 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.