Who can Giannis Antetokounmpo select as No. 1 draft pick in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game? Exploring 3 most favored options
For the first time in NBA history, the All-Star game will be preceded by a draft that will allow LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo to pick their teams on Sunday.
The process will be fairly straightforward. Conference affiliations will not matter during the All-Star draft. As LeBron James is the leading vote-getter during the balloting process, he will get the first pick in the draft. LeBron will select from the pool of 8 All-Star starters, after which Giannis will get his first pick from the remaining 7.
Once all the starters have been chosen, the two captains will select 7 reserves each from the pool of 14 reserves. Considering LeBron James will get the first pick, we look at the top 3 candidates who Giannis Antetokounmpo can pick from the pool of 8 starters. In the absence of Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, several players have a chance of being Giannis Antetokounmpo's first pick.
Three voting groups determined the starters:
• Fans (50%)
• NBA players (25%)
• Media panel 25%)
Complete voting results here: bit.ly/407STIX
Below are the overall scores for the top finishers at each position. https://t.co/HQ9W20Z6Ke
Top 3 options for Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2023 NBA All-Star game
#3 Jayson Tatum
The fact that the All-Star game has multiple notable absentees means Jayson Tatum might be one of the players to watch out for. Joel Embiid is also said to be doubtful and LeBron James is unlikely to pick a player who predominantly plays in his position.
Of course, barring LeBron James and Giannis himself, Tatum is arguably the most in-form forward in the starting pool this year.
The best part about All-Star weekend for Jayson Tatum?
…sharing it with Deuce 💚 https://t.co/3QJGmfXpWG
#2 Luka Doncic
Considering the likes of Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant are injured, Luka Doncic might pull up with some exhibitionist basketball in the All-Star game. Doncic is another player whom LeBron might end up picking. However, Kyrie Irving’s availability and the fact that LeBron himself prefers to be the primary ball handler on his teams might leave Doncic unpicked.
A potential partnership between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic surely has the potential to be mesmerizing.
Mavericks' Luka Doncic on what he looks forward to playing in his fourth NBA All-Star Game:
"Sunday, when I fly to Mexico." https://t.co/KBKL0L7YQT
#1 Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic is having one of those seasons this year. He is averaging a triple-double with 24.7 points and has been the driving force behind the Denver Nuggets’ rise this season. Considering LeBron James will get the first pick, it is unlikely that Jokic will be available for Giannis to pick.
It's not every day a Wilt Chamberlain record is in danger of being broken...
Wilt's 8.6 assists per game in the '67-68 season are the most by a center all time
Nikola Jokic is averaging 10.1 per game this season heading into the All-Star break https://t.co/U4M9m619oY
Of course, LeBron might as well have a shooter as his top priority in the All-Star draft, which might pave the way for Giannis to pick the big man.