NBA All-Star Rosters 2018: Final Mock Draft for Team James vs. Team Curry
The NBA is shaking up the annual All-Star Game by tossing aside the traditional East vs. West format and going the schoolyard route.
As the top vote-getters in their respective conferences, LeBron James and Stephen Curry will serve as team captains for this year's exhibition contest, drafting back and forth in a snake-format draft (with a slight twist) to come up with your two 2018 All-Star rosters.
It's a neat way to add some unpredictability to this year's contests, one that can perhaps pit teammates against each other or allow for some unusual alliances to form. The draft will be held in secret, and then the rosters will be revealed tonight at 7 p.m. on TNT NBA Tip-Off.
According to NBA.com, James picks first from the starters pool, followed by Curry, and then the two will continue back and forth. When it comes to picking the reserves, Curry will go first (pick No. 9), and they draft until everyone is selected.
So let's look at how the starters picks might go, and then predict where the reserve players end up.
Starters
1. Team James: Kevin Durant, F, Golden State Warriors
Imagine having Kevin Durant as your deputy on an All-Star roster. James decides to mess with Curry and deny him the opportunity to play with his teammate by taking the lanky scoring machine first overall in this fantasy draft. Plus, Durant's already dreaming of ways to shut his teammate down.
"I'm prepared to switch out on Steph in the pick-and-roll, force him to the rim and block his shot," said Durant, per ESPN.com's Kevin Arnovitz and Chris Forsberg.
2. Team Curry: Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Milwaukee Bucks
Well, Curry still has a bevy of unbelievable talent to choose from. Seeing as he is of traditional guard size he goes for some length and versatility in choosing "The Greek Freak". Antetokounmpo will prove to be a delight in his second All-Star Game as he takes full advantage of lackadaisical defense with some long strides leading to powerful dunks.
3. Team James: James Harden, G, Houston Rockets
James has a solid frontcourt going and some size, so he picks up the sharp-shooting James Harden to make sure he's got someone to go shot for shot with Curry in the backcourt. James would do well to take a fellow-MVP candidate in this spot and let Harden and his 31.2 points per game cook.
4. Team Curry: Anthony Davis, F/C, New Orleans Pelicans
Curry grabs a player capable of holding down the paint in Anthony Davis. "The Brow" is averaging 26.5 points, 10.4 boards and 2.0 blocks per game this year. If this format does add some competitive juice to the defensive portion of this All-Star game, Curry will grab the shot-swatting Davis to reject some forays into the paint (and with Durant planning to shut him down in the lane, Curry tries to make sure he has some breathing room on lay-ups).
5. Team James: Joel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ers
James is 33, Harden is 28, Durant is 29. Why not make sure you have someone from the league's youth movement on the team? Embiid hasn't proven himself to be the sturdiest of players in his nascent career, but this draft is for a one-game season. Embiid is making his All-Star debut, and it would be awesome if the greatest talent of his generation decides to pick up one of the most exciting young centers to come around in years.
6. Team Curry: DeMarcus Cousins, C, New Orleans Pelicans
After James does the devious thing by breaking up the Warriors starters, Curry makes sure that there isn't too much shifting around by grabbing Cousins to pair with Davis. This pick also works well because Cousins can battle with Embiid down low on some possessions, something the fans will certainly enjoy. Cousins is having a phenomenal season in every facet of the game, so there's also no way he ends up being either James or Curry's last pick in the starters' round.
7. Team James: DeMar DeRozan, G, Toronto Raptors
James could pick Irving here and let bygones be bygones, but he looks at DeMar DeRozan's sweet mid-range game and finds it too good to ignore. Plus, with so many great scoring point guards on the reserves, James is okay taking an Eastern Conference star who offers a little something different from the league's continual move toward three-pointers and lay-ups.
8. Team Curry: Kyrie Irving, G, Boston Celtics
Kyrie Irving as a default pick? What an embarrassment of riches. Curry has a solid group of big men at his disposal, so now he grabs a fellow stone-cold shotmaker in Irving. If this game ends up close, Curry will be glad he made this clutch pick.
Reserves
9. Curry: Draymond Green, F, Golden State Warriors
10. James: Kevin Love, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers
11. Curry: Klay Thompson, G, Golden State Warriors
Just imagine if word got out these guys didn't pick their teammates when they had the chance. James might mess with Curry by taking Durant first for a little fun, but after that, it's all love.
12. James: Jimmy Butler, G, Minnesota Timberwolves
13. Curry: Russell Westbrook, G, Oklahoma City Thunder
14. James: Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Minnesota Timberwolves
After letting Curry snag two Pelicans, James decides to start having fun and breaking up teammates again.
15. Curry: Kristaps Porzingis, F, New York Knicks
Knowing that the reserves are replete with guards, Curry makes sure he gets some more size for his team by taking Porzingis right after James goes after yet another big man in Towns.
16. James: Damian Lillard, G, Portland Trail Blazers
17. Curry: Victor Oladipo, G, Indiana Pacers
18. James: Bradley Beal, G, Washington Wizards
19. Curry: John Wall, G, Washington Wizards
Who is to say Curry won't try to create some unique competition by taking John Wall right after Bradley Beal goes off the board? James has already done it, now it's his turn.
20. James: Kyle Lowry, G, Toronto Raptors
21. Curry: Al Horford, C, Boston Celtics
22. James: LaMarcus Aldridge, F, San Antonio Spurs
Final Roster Prediction
Team James: Kevin Durant, James Harden, Joel Embiid, DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Love, Jimmy Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns, Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, Kyle Lowry, LaMarcus Aldridge
Team Curry: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, Kyrie Irving, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Russell Westbrook, Kristaps Porzingis, Victor Oladipo, John Wall, Al Horford
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