Celtics pride: Drama aside, LeBron selects Kyrie Irving in All-Star Game draft
When it comes to selecting the best available player, LeBron James didn’t hold back in drafting Boston Celtics star Kyrie Irving to his NBA All-Star team.
Cleveland Cavaliers fans will once again see the trio of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love on the same team. That’s because on Thursday, the best basketball player in the selected the current Boston Celtics star along with Love in the NBA All-Star Game draft.
As we know, since the trio lead the Cavs to the 2017 NBA Finals, Irving was traded to the Celtics in exchange for Isaiah Thomas. That came following trade demands from Irving. Now, Cleveland is experiencing inner turmoil with Kevin Love being the focal point.
But none of that drama has stopped LeBron James from picking the best players to represent Team LeBron in the NBA All-Star game. Drama aside, the great one told TNT that choosing both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love was not difficult at all.
"“I just tried to pick the best available players, and to be able to team back up with Kyrie, it’s always special, along with Kevin Love,” James said, as transcribed by USA Today. “For us to have another weekend to bring back some of the memories we had when we were all together. Kyrie was available on the draft board. He’s one of the best point guards that we have in our league, so it was an easy choice for me.”"
LeBron went on to say that it was important to have his teammate Love alongside him when his team takes on Team Stephen at the Staples Center on Feb 18.
Rounding out James’ 12-man roster is Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, Bradley Beal, John Wall, Russell Westbrook, Victor Oladipo, Kristaps Porzingis and LeMarcus Aldridge.
Al Horford selected by Steph Curry
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With the new format of the top vote getters choosing the teams, Boston Celtics big man Al Horford will play against Kyrie Irving in the All-Star game.
Horford, selected to his fifth All-Star game, was selected by Steph Curry to represent the Team Stephen team.
While the Celtics big man is not the flashiest star, averaging 13.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists, his importance on the court was recognized in his selection as an All-Star reserve. As a versatile big man who can do it all, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge lauded Horford as a player every coach wants. That sentiment was made evident after Eastern Conference coaches voted him as an All-Star reserve.
"“Al is just what every coach and what every player wants,” Ainge said, via ESPN. “He’s not going to fill up your fantasy sheet and all that kind of stuff. But he’s who every coach and every player wants on their team. That says a lot.”"
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Steph Curry certainly wanted him. In being selected to play for Team Stephen, Al Horford will team up with Curry, James Harden, DeMar DeRozan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, Damian Lillard, Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson, Kyle Lowry, Draymond Green and Karl-Anthony Towns.