Giannis Antetokounmpo Selected as All-Star Captain

The results are in, and the world wants to see Giannis Antetokounmpo wreck fools as the captain of the East All-Star team. TNT unveiled the starters from both the Western and Eastern squads tonight, with the reserves set to be released next Thursday. For now, let’s revel in the fact the tiny, small market, Milwaukee Bucks have stormed the popularity gates and taken up residence with the second leading vote-getter in the entire league.

Only LeBron James managed to eclipse Giannis in terms of votes. Giannis’ fellow East All-Star starters also included Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Kawhi Leonard and Joel Embiid. For the West, LeBron leads a crew that includes James Harden, Paul George, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.

Thankfully, this year the NBA came to their senses and will broadcast the All-Star draft where Giannis and LeBron will pick their teammates from the full squad of starters and reserves. I’m not sure what the best strategy is yet. Should Giannis take direct shots at his Eastern competitors and avoid drafting the likes of Kawhi, Embiid and Kyrie altogether? Or should he pick each of them in a show of good faith, only for them to let their guard down in the Playoffs when Giannis picks their teams apart dunk-by-dunk. Personally, I’m hoping for the latter.

For now, we’ll have to wait and see whether Khris Middleton or Eric Bledsoe manage to snag a coach’s selection and make it among the reserves.