LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo announced as captains for the NBA All-Star Game, while fans scratch heads as Damian Lillard is also named a starter

LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo announced as captains for the NBA All-Star Game, while fans scratch heads as Damian Lillard is also named a starter

Most watched Sport videos

The NBA All-Star Game starters were announced on Thursday night – and the squads were mostly devoid of surprises as LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo were chosen to captain the Eastern and Western Conferences respectively.

Rounding out the rest of the West roster is Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

However, there was some minor controversy in the East as Damian Lillard was chosen to start alongside Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton.

Lillard is averaging 25.3 points and 6.8 ᴀssists per game but is shooting just 42.6 percent from the field and 34.7 percent from three – which would be the second-worst mark of his career over a full season. 

Fans were quick to criticize the choice online, with many saying the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson or Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell – who are both averaging more points and shooting more efficiently – should have started instead. 

Bucks teammates Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo were named All-Star starters

Bucks teammates Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo were named All-Star starters

LeBron James was named an All-Star for a staggering 20th time in his career on Thursday

LeBron James was named an All-Star for a staggering 20th time in his career on Thursday

Fans were quick to criticize the selection of Lillard as a starter for the All-Star Game

Fans were quick to criticize the selection of Lillard as a starter for the All-Star Game

The All-Star Game starters are voted on by fans, players and media, with fans accounting for 50 percent of the vote and the other two groups each making up 25 percent.

James and Antetokounmpo both finished first in their respective conference’s voting, making them captains.

It’s the 20th time James has been an All-Star in his career, while it’s the eighth nod for Antetokounmpo.

The East and West teams will also welcome seven reserves each, with those players set to be announced on February 1.

The likes of Brunson, Mitchell and Tyrese Maxey are widely expected to be on the East squad, while Anthony Edwards, Stephen Curry and Kawhi Leonard are strong bets to represent the West.

Related Posts

Why Luka Doncic’s new 5m Lakers deal could force LeBron James to demand a trade

Why Luka Doncic’s new $165m Lakers deal could force LeBron James to demand a trade

There’s a changing of the guard at the Los Angeles Lakers and as things stands, LeBron James isn’t completely comfortable with it. The trade to bring Luka…

Ex-NBA star Nate Robinson admits he ‘doesn’t have long to live’ if he can’t get a kidney replacement, as three-time Dunk Contest champion tells Mail Sport he’d only survive ‘a week or two’ without dialysis machine

Ex-NBA star Nate Robinson admits he ‘doesn’t have long to live’ if he can’t get a kidney replacement, as three-time Dunk Contest champion tells Mail Sport he’d only survive ‘a week or two’ without dialysis machine

Most watched Sport videos Two years after announcing his renal kidney failure diagnosis, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson has admitted he ‘doesn’t have long to live’ if he…

NBA owner makes record 5m bid to buy WNBA team and relocate to Boston… but sale could have compeтιтion

NBA owner makes record $325m bid to buy WNBA team and relocate to Boston… but sale could have compeтιтion

The group led by former NBA owner Steve Pagliuca has officially made a record $325million offer to by the Connecticut Sun. However, his bid might not be…

Chicago Bulls’ uncontested fast break goes hilariously wrong as Torrey Craig throws himself an alley-oop off the backboard only to be thwarted by TEAMMATE Andre Drummond: ‘They both missed!’

Chicago Bulls’ uncontested fast break goes hilariously wrong as Torrey Craig throws himself an alley-oop off the backboard only to be thwarted by TEAMMATE Andre Drummond: ‘They both missed!’

Most watched Sport videos Chicago Bulls forward Torrey Craig thought he had an uncontested fast break in Tuesday’s loss to the New York Knicks. Teammate Andre Drummond…

Draymond Green asks Warriors teammate Klay Thompson for his ‘brutally honest’ take on his frequent ejections for Golden State: ‘We just need you’

Draymond Green asks Warriors teammate Klay Thompson for his ‘brutally honest’ take on his frequent ejections for Golden State: ‘We just need you’

Most watched Sport videos Draymond Green was given a heartfelt reply by his Golden State Warriors teammate Klay Thompson when he asked the guard for his ‘brutally…

Tennessee judge rules NBA star Ja Morant DID act in self-defense when Grizzlies guard punched a teenager during a pickup basketball game at his Memphis mansion

Tennessee judge rules NBA star Ja Morant DID act in self-defense when Grizzlies guard punched a teenager during a pickup basketball game at his Memphis mansion

Most watched Sport videos A Tennessee judge has ruled that Ja Morant acted in self defense when the Grizzlies star punched a teenager at his Memphis mansion…