NBA All-Star Rosters 2018: Team LeBron, Stephen Starters, Reserves, Injury Subs

Note to the NBA: The next time you want to vary the format on the All-Star Game and let the captains pick their teams, make sure the television cameras are rolling and reporters are there to record the event and all the byplay that goes with it.

Steph Curry and LeBron James' selections as captains may turn out to be the most interesting and appealing parts of the All-Star festivities. Fans, media and longtime NBA observers want to know what the top players think of each other. They won't know unless the event is documented.

The NBA recently announced the starters and the reserves shortly thereafter, and the only additions and subtractions from this point on will be injury-related.

The All-Star roster is loaded with superstars and game-changing players, and Curry and James will not have an easy time of it when it comes to picking their teams.

Eastern Conference

• Starter: Kyrie Irving, G, Boston Celtics
• Starter: DeMar DeRozan, G, Toronto Raptors
• Starter: LeBron James, F, Cleveland Cavaliers (captain)
• Starter: Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Milwaukee Bucks
• Starter: Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers
• Reserve: Kyle Lowry, G, Toronto Raptors
• Reserve: Bradley Beal, G, Washington Wizards
• Reserve: John Wall, G, Washington Wizards
• Reserve: Victor Oladipo, G, Indiana Pacers
• Reserve: Kevin Love, F, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Reserve: Kristaps Porzingis, F, New York Knicks
• Reserve: Al Horford, C, Boston Celtics

Western Conference

• Starter: Stephen Curry, G, Golden State Warriors (captain)
• Starter: James Harden, G, Houston Rockets
• Starter: Kevin Durant, F, Golden State Warriors
• Starter: Anthony Davis, F, New Orleans Pelicans
• Starter: DeMarcus Cousins, C, New Orleans Pelicans
• Reserve: Damian Lillard, G, Portland Trail Blazers
• Reserve: Klay Thompson, G, Golden State Warriors
• Reserve: Jimmy Butler, G, Minnesota Timberwolves
• Reserve: Russell Westbrook, G, Oklahoma City Thunder
  
• Reserve: LaMarcus Aldridge, F, San Antonio Spurs
• Reserve: Draymond Green, F, Golden State Warriors
• Reserve: Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Minnesota Timberwolves

Dividing up the starters should not be difficult, and if the object is to win the game, the key will be to find the right mix of explosive offensive players and those who will give just as much of an effort when it comes to playing defense.

It would be difficult to see anyone but Kevin Durant being the first player selected. Durant is a nine-time All-Star who is averaging 26.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

While he may be Curry's teammate with the Golden State Warriors, we don't see James letting him pass. Durant is a winning player who has an array of shots and offensive talent, and he is not about to let anyone beat him when the game is on the line.

Since James has the first pick, the belief here is he will will go to Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. The Greek Freak is Generation Next in the Association and is something of an unstoppable force himself, as he averages 28.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. 

That could leave Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans and teammate DeMarcus Cousins as the next two picks. Davis is a five-time All-Star who is averaging 26.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, and he is coming off a 52-point effort in last year's All-Star Game.

Cousins is a wonderful talent at center and will be playing in his fourth All-Star game. He is averaging 25.4 points and 12.9 boards per game. 

Guards Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder and John Wall of the Washington Wizards could be the first of the reserves selected. Westbrook is a dynamo who is averaging 24.9 points and 10.0 assists per night, and he is a two-time All-Star Game MVP. Wall's explosive speed is a game-changing factor, and he is a five-time All-Star who is averaging 19.3 points and 9.2 assists per game.

Starter Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers and reserves Bradley Beal of the Wizards, Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers, Kristaps Porzingis of the Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves are all first-time All-Stars.

Big man Andre Drummond of the Detroit Pistons and wild card Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics are potential injury subs from the Eastern Conference, while Chris Paul of the Houston Rockets and DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers should receive strong consideration if the West needs injury call-ups.