NBA All-Star Game 2018-19: Takeaways from NBA All-Star Draft

We are only few more days away from this year's NBA All-Star Game, an event watched by thousands of basketball fans across the globe. This is the second time in the history of the All-Star Game that the format will not be Eastern Conference vs Western Conference.

While last year, Team Stephen went up against Team LeBron, this year, it will be the Greek Freak's Team Giannis taking on Team LeBron. The All-Star Game draft recently concluded and the two teams look really balanced on paper.

This year's All-Star Game will be played in Charlotte and all the eyes will be on hometown boy, Kemba Walker. In this article, let us take a look at three of the takeaways from NBA All-Star draft.

#3 LeBron James picks Kevin Durant first, twice in a row

Kevin Durant and LeBron James are two of the most popular basketball players in the league and are known for their consistency over a long period of time. The two have engaged in some great battles on the court.

Even though LeBron James' team emerged victorious on most of the occasions early in Durant's career, in recent times, Durant, with the Warriors, has enjoyed more success against James' team.

Durant was also named the Finals MVP of the last two seasons after his heroics routed LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers for two straight seasons. In the last year's All-Star Game, Durant played for Team LeBron and the two shutdown Stephen Curry on the final possession with some solid defense to defeat Team Stephen.

In this year's All-Star Game draft, James chose Kevin Durant with the first overall pick and when asked by Ernie Johnson Jr. of TNT, he confirmed that he chose Durant first last year as well.

#2 Joel Embiid and Russell Westbrook's rivalry can come to an end

Embiid and Westbrook in action at the NBA All-Star Game 2018

It is no secret that Russell Westbrook and Joel Embiid hate each other. The two have always gone at each other and in their recent match-up, Westbrook and the Thunder came out on top in Philadelphia.

Things got heated up after a hard foul by Embiid on Westbrook on a fast break. After the game, Westbrook said that he is not cool with Joel Embiid. In the All-Star 2019 draft, Westbrook was chosen by LeBron James and Embiid was chosen by Giannis Antetokounmpo.

However, the LeBron James decided to trade Westbrook to Team Giannis in exchange for Ben Simmons, and Giannis immediately accepted the idea. Two of the most players of their respective NBA teams and arch-rivals on the court will play together on the same team, and imagine Westbrook throwing a lob to Embiid.

#1 You cannot just stop LeBron James from tampering

All those who have watched the draft might have already realised this. If you observe at the picks he made in the draft, one thing is clear. It is that you cannot stop James from tampering with the rules.

With the first overall NBA All-Star Game draft pick, James selected Kevin Durant who has a player option for the upcoming season, with the Golden State Warriors. He can opt out of his contract after this season and become a free agent.

He then selected Anthony Davis who has already conveyed to the New Orleans Pelicans that he has no intentions of signing a contract extension if offered. This even led to Giannis Antetokounmpo jokingly asking, "Is this not tampering?"

The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly decided to ship off their entire roster, before the trade deadline, in exchange for Anthony Davis before they realised that the Pelicans were just asking for too much.

James then went on to select Klay Thompson who is another superstar who can hit free agency in 2019. It is safe to say that LeBron came into the draft night with a plan.