Live Thread: 2017 NBA All Star Game (#Rivals)

LeBron James may see no rivals when he takes the court tonight for the 66th Annual NBA All Star Game (his record-tying 13th straight All Star Game start equalling the great Bob Cousy), but that doesn’t mean the other 23 players participating share that opinion. After all, there will be an equal number of Cavaliers (with James and Kyrie Irving) in the East starting lineup as there are Golden State Warriors in the West (Kevin Durant and Steph Curry)… not to mention another two Warriors in reserve with Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. While KD and Steph have been less vocal about the rivalry they share with LBJ’s team, Green has been outspoken in referring to Bron’s assessment as no less than bovine excrement.

It won’t be quite the same though, since the third member of Cleveland’s All Star triumvirate (Kevin Love) will be missing in action for this year’s game. His replacement (Carmelo Anthony), however, presents a whole other source of rivalry for the media to debate (as in who would be the better fit at forward next to the King going forward). There are also plenty of representatives from other Eastern teams who are all vying to be the next great rivalry for the Cavs. DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry will show out for the Toronto Raptors who hope for a shot at redemption for their ECF loss to the wine & gold last season. The Celtics and Wizards will also each have their field generals in the fold for the contest in Isaiah Thomas and John Wall respectively. You can bet there are plenty of guys amongst that group (and throw in Kemba Walker from the Hornets as well) who see themselves as rivals for Kyrie Irving’s spot as the starter in the East also.

The most interesting rivalries exist within the Western team, however, as Durant (though still surrounded by his new teammates) will again find himself on the same side as the partner he left behind, Russell Westbrook. The tension still seems pretty thick around the two, given their most recent clash in OKC, and their general avoidance of each other during the All Star Weekend festivities thus far. It remains to be seen if Steve Kerr feels bold enough to put Russ out there as the fifth member of his possible four Warrior lineup… but it should be fun to find out. Added to this is the spirited race for the regular season MVP… a race that includes not only Durant and Westbrook, but also fellow starters James Harden of the Rockets and Kawhi Leonard of the Spurs.

Which brings it full-circle to LeBron himself. As nearly the elder statesman of this year’s game (only the late Carmelo for Love replacement altered that fact), the one rivalry the King might still admit to is the one he shares with the rest of the League with respect to the MVP race. He’s still arguably the best player in the game… and an All Star Game is sometimes the perfect place to flex…

Here’s a link to the full lineups for easy reference.

Prediction: I expect the number three point shots made and attempted in this game to shatter the previous record… maybe even by halftime. The West should get out to a big lead behind the stable of MVP candidates on their side, but the East will mount a furious comeback (they do have both the MFQ and the Lord of the Fourth on the same team) to just edge out a victory, 171-169. Brad Stevens rides his tiny star enough to help him become the shortest player to win the ASMVP.

The festivities begin at 8pm EST on TNT. Enjoy the game, and chime in to discuss all your favorite All Star rivalries…