By Brayden Manning

February 26, 2021

As the NBA All Star voting just concluded, members of the media were very concerned with the choices made. Captains were chosen by the two players with the most votes of each conference. Captains will draft their teams on March 4 and will be able to choose players from whichever conference they would like. The winning team will be able to donate money to a charity of their choice.

The Eastern All Stars is led by 11-time All Star and All Star Captain from the Brooklyn Nets, Kevin Durant. This is Durant’s first time being a captain. One of his teammates from the Brooklyn Nets, Kyrie Irving, is also an all star. Irving is a 7-time All Star and has signed with Brooklyn in the past offseason.  The eastern conference  also has 4-time All Star and 2-time captain Giannis Antetokounmpo. Antetokounmpo just came off another great season, earning his second MVP in a row. Also accompanied by first time All Star Starter Bradley Beal. Beal is coming off one of his best seasons yet and is very deserving to be named a starter. Last but not least is 4-time All Star Joel Embiid. Embiid is having an amazing season and is being mentioned in the MVP race.

The Western All Stars is led by 17-time All Star and captain Lebron James. James has been a captain for four years in a row and has won every game he’s drafted. James is accompanied by 7-time All Star Stephen Curry. Curry was once a captain in the first year the new format was installed. One of the very questionable choices was small forward Luka Dončić. Dončić started last year and many thought Portland Trail Blazers Star Damian Lillard should have been selected over him. Forwards Nikola Jokic and Kawhi Leonard also are on the team. Leonard has been an All Star 5 times, whereas Jokic has been an All Star 3 times.

The night will consist of a total of four events: The Taco Bell Skill Challenge, Mountain Dew 3-Point Challenge, the AT&T Slam Dunk Challenge, and the NBA All Star Game. These events usually take place over the course of the weekend but this year, they’re all on Sunday, March 7.