By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Aside from his numerous accolades as a player, LeBron James can also be proud of his perfect track record assuming a role close to a general manager. Team LeBron has prevailed in all four All-Star Games held since the two top vote-getting players were enabled to choose their teammates in 2018. Team Stephen fell in 2018, Team Giannis in 2019 and 2020, and Team Durant on Sunday night.
“I hope that they allow me to retire from being an All-Star captain, so I can retire with a perfect 4-0 record. I’ll keep that forever. But we’ll just see what happens,” he wondered after the 2021 All-Star Game held in Atlanta, “I always try to pick the right team, and I’ve been lucky enough for four years to pick the right team. Guys go out and compete and play to win. I’ve been on the winning side of all four.”
Previous captains, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry were on his side this year. The Greek Freak went all the way to becoming the first international MVP in All-Star Game history after posting a game-high 35 points off 16/16 field goals, including 3/3 triples. Curry added 28 points.
“It’s guys that I obviously compete against on a nightly basis. But guys that I’m just in awe of,” said James, “Giannis and Steph, it’s my first time teaming up with Steph, and it was an honor to be on the floor with him. A guy that I’ve seen come and be the player that he is today. It was just great to be out there with Steph and Giannis and the rest of the guys, too.”
James, 36, shifts his focus back to the Los Angeles Lakers for the second part of the 2020-21 NBA Regular Season. The next game is on Friday with the Indiana Pacers visiting the Staples Center.
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