2018 Team LeBron All-Stars vs. 2021 Team LeBron All-Stars: Who Wins This Duel Of Megastars?

One of the lesser-kept secrets about LeBron James’ career is how much say he has in constructing a roster. The ”LeGM” memes and nicknames are aplenty as the reports and speculation have spread like wildfire throughout the NBA community. In certain instances, the GM tag on LeBron James is warranted such as when he is captaining an All-Star team as he seems to do annually as one of the league’s top vote-getters. Since implementing the draft format into the All-Star Game, LeBron has had the luxury of being a captain and selecting his team 5 times. He remains undefeated in those contests.

Two of those 5 times he has chosen a team have been in both 2018 and 2021. Now, in each of those cases, LeBron has been on the court as well. For matchup purposes, we will use 2018 LeBron James at power forward and 2021 LeBron at small forward to present different lineups. The 2018 roster rounds out with Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and Anthony Davis. The 2021 roster rounds out with Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic. These are two very unique rosters with different advantages and weaknesses that are sure to produce a spectacular matchup.

This is the 2018 Team LeBron All-Star Team going head-to-head in a winner-take-all game with the 2021 Team LeBron All-Star Team.

Russell Westbrook vs. Stephen Curry

The 2018 team rolls out Russell Westbrook at point guard. Remember, this is the 2018 version of Westbrook, not the one that has been brutally criticized in the media for the past year. This version of Russ was at the height of his abilities as a scorer, facilitator, and rebounder. He was coming off of his MVP season and for the second season in a row averaged a triple-double. He presents a matchup problem with Curry because of Curry’s struggles to keep up with a fast-paced point guard. Russ will want to push the pace as much as possible to completely take Curry out of the game defensively.

The matchup becomes a little unfair once 2021 Team LeBron has the ball. This is the greatest shooter of all time we are talking about here and we know how a team loves to get him his shots. Curry will be in constant motion without the ball, wiggling around screens and setting up from long distance as per usual. Russ will have a tough time fighting through the screens being set so expect multiple switches over the course of 48 minutes. In 2021, Curry led the league in scoring with 32.0 PPG on 42.1% shooting from three. Expect the threes to fly and fall no matter who sets up across from him in this one.

Kyrie Irving vs. Luka Doncic

The matchup of the other guards in this lineup has the potential to be the best one in the entire game. Kyrie Irving should have no problem taking advantage of Doncic’s defense with his elite handles and shot creation. Kyrie can create space and separation no matter where he is on the floor which proves to be a detriment to Doncic. The 2021 season was Kyrie’s most efficient as he averaged 26.9 PPG and joined the ever elusive 50/40/90 club. With his efficient scoring, Irving will prove to be a key piece to victory next to Westbrook who is likely to be the main facilitator in this case.

On defense, the best that Kyrie can do with Luka is to just stay in front. Luka is lethal on pick and rolls, whether he sets a teammate up for an easy finish or gets to the lane himself. Also, look for Doncic to take advantage of the size difference between him and Kyrie. Luka will use his larger frame to back Irving down to the post or seal him off on drives to the basket. This will also prove vital in the mid-range game as Luka will bully kyrie in getting to his spots. Doncic should get plenty of looks to score as Curry will draw massive amounts of attention on the perimeter. He should also rack up the assist with Curry on the outside and Jokic and Giannis down low.

Kevin Durant vs. LeBron James

Once again we are presented with a matchup that by this time we are used to seeing in the NBA Finals. Kevin Durant and LeBron James went toe-to-toe in the Finals in 2017 and 2018. Kevin Durant got the best of him in those matchups and we are inclined to think that will happen again in this one. Kevin Durant from 2018 was coming off of a 2017 Finals MVP and on his way to another one the following season. He will want to find his rhythm early and often on his jump shot from the mid-range or beyond the arc. Durant shot 51.6% overall and 41.9% from three in 2018 so finding his shot should be no issue.

LeBron James in 2021 had a very up-and-down season. He battled an ankle injury for most of the season and wound up missing 37 games. Despite the injury, LeBron battled and averaged 25.0 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 7.8 APG. He still played in attack mode, taking most of his shots at the rim and finishing them over 70.0% of the time. LeBron will look to play right at Durant’s chest, taking advantage of the weight difference he imposes. LeBron will also look to keep his game to the perimeter where he shot 36.5% from three on the year. If LeBron’s ankle injury flares up, look for 2021 Team LeBron to struggle.

LeBron James vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the marquee matchup of the evening. The LeBron James from 2018 may just have been in his strongest form. He was a versatile defender who was able to control guards on the perimeter and slow down bigs in the paint. He was incredibly smart off the ball and disrupted passing lanes while lying in wait for an errant pass. On offense, he was nearly unstoppable. His true shooting percentage on the year was 62.1% and he scored at will from all three levels. He also excelled as a passer with 9.1 APG on the season and once again led his team to an NBA Finals when they had no business being there. The 2018 version of LeBron will be the best player on the court in this matchup.

The version of Giannis Antetokounmpo is no slouch himself. He went on to have a miraculous season, taking home Finals MVP in an incredible series against the Suns. Giannis was the best two-way player in the game at the time, stifling the game’s best on defense whether at the rim or on the outside. Giannis could hang with guards on switches and gave them fits because of his length and agility. He was incredibly dominant on fast breaks with or without the ball. His strength in the post was unmatched in 2021, and it carried over on a championship run. If there is anyone that could slow down 2018 LeBron’s game, then 2021 Giannis would be the best bet.

Anthony Davis vs. Nikola Jokic

Before he helped the purple and gold win a championship in 2020, Anthony Davis was the best big man in the league in 2018. For the 3rd time in 6 years, Davis led the league in blocks and was the best he’s ever been scoring wise with a career-high 28.1 PPG. Davis finished at the rim with authority as an incredible lob threat as well as having an array of moves in his holster to flush it home. Davis controlled the offense from 10 feet and in while shooting 55.8% from two-point range. With his size, athleticism, and two-way repertoire, Davis poses a huge threat in his matchup with Nikola Jokic.

The 2018 version of Davis would be a runaway advantage if he wasn’t matched up with the 2021 MVP. Nikola Jokic poses numerous amounts of problems for opponents and that’s even before you talk about him scoring the ball. Jokic is an all-time passer from the low or high post. Whether it be a cross-court pass to an open shooter or a cutter moving off the ball, Jokic is a threat to pick apart defenses every time he touches the ball. He can also score at will with a beautiful jumper for someone his size and uncanny finishing ability. Jokic will have his hands full trying to contain Davis on defense but with the threat he is on offense, it almost cancels each other out.

2018 Team LeBron Advantages

The first glaring advantage for the 2018 Team LeBron All-Stars is the pace this team can set. With Westbrook at point guard pushing the tempo, there is no doubt that the 2018 team wants to get out and run. The 2018 version of LeBron is a master facilitator on the open floor as well, knowing when to attack and when to pull it back out for a better opportunity. It helps to have a lob threat like Davis and shooters like Durant and Kyrie alongside their playmakers is certain to be a lethal combination.

The second glaring advantage for the 2018 team is their clutch gene and efficiency. Kevin Durant, 2018 LeBron, Westbrook, and Kyrie all have the ability to knock down big shots in big-time moments. Durant has proven it in the NBA Finals as had LeBron. Kyrie hit one of the most clutch shots in NBA history in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals. Westbrook is one of the most clutch players in the entire NBA since 2010. If this game comes down to the wire, look for the 2018 squad to have the slight edge.

2021 Team LeBron Advantages

There are also a few glaring advantages for the 2021 Team LeBron All-Stars. The first one is the playmaking ability from top to bottom. With Stephen Curry and Doncic manning the backcourt, you have 2 of the best current-day playmakers running the offense. Stephen Curry with his off-ball movement commands so much attention that it can and will open up the offense. Luka makes things happen pretty easily in set offenses as well. LeBron has so much pressure off of him playmaking-wise that he can focus on scoring and passing off of the drive to his shooters and bigs. Jokic is the best passer from the post in the NBA and the entire offense can be run through him if need be. Giannis makes plays every time he touches the ball especially when on the drive where he finds teammates fairly easy. Everywhere you look you have guys who can score or deliver their teammates’ easy buckets.

Overall scoring and shooting is the other largest advantage that favors the 2021 team. Obviously, having Curry gives them the largest advantage in shooting wise but you also have 4 other guys who can score every way possible. You have 4 decent perimeter shooters given Giannis and Jokic are streaky but can knock them down if open. Doncic scores extremely well from within the arc and can catch fire with his step back threes. LeBron can score however you need him to but is best when attacking the rim. Giannis is a given to rack up rebounds leading to fast break points and equally dangerous in set offenses. Jokic is crafty in the post with the ability to shoot medium-range jumpers, especially over smaller defenders. Both teams present an obvious ability to score but the 2021 Team is just too versatile.

Who Wins This Matchup In A Single Game?

The entire world is expecting a high-octane, fast-paced game between these two powerhouses and that is exactly how this one began. Team 2021 jumped out to a quick 10-2 lead behind the stellar interior defense from Giannis which led to two fast transition threes for Stephen Curry. The 2018 team slowed things down and fought back with tough baskets from Kevin Durant and LeBron. Giannis was not to be outdone as he helped the 2021 team finish the quarter with a 22-17 lead. The 2nd quarter begins with LeBron James taking over the game recording the first 12 points of the quarter to fuel a 16-4 run. A Luka Doncic stepback would make it a 4-point game before Anthony Davis responded with a three-point play of his own. Curry would drain a three at the buzzer and the 2018 team would take a 61-55 lead into the break.

Giannis Antetokounmpo began the 3rd quarter on a mission, taking control of the game on both offense and defense. A couple of blocks and transition baskets from Team 2021 and the game was all knotted up at 82 midway through the quarter. LeBron James and Kevin Durant teamed up for some quick defense leading to offense to build another 6-point lead with 25 seconds left. After a quick timeout, Luka Doncic drove the lane, step back, and hit Stephen Curry on a beautiful wrap-around pass to cut the lead to 3 at the end of three quarters. Giannis continued to dominate Anthony Davis, keeping him to just 8 points on the night and just 1 block on defense. Westbrook clutched up and drained a couple of big shots down the stretch to keep a 4-point lead with under two to play.

A couple of big lobs from Luka to Giannis knotted the game up at 115 with just 1 minute to play. LeBron brings the ball up for Team 2018, waiting for the opportune time to attack and strike. He makes his move with 45 seconds to play, darting for the lane with insane speed. He gets to about 6 feet from the rim before dishing it off to Davis for an easy slam and the two-point lead. A late whistle waves the basket off, charging LeBron with the offensive foul. On the other end, Team 2021 forced Team 2018 to use their last 2 fouls to give and was able to run down the clock to 15 seconds. LeBron handles the ball for Team 2021 and again makes his move to the basket, this time stopping about 12 feet out before finding a cutting Giannis. With his high level of awareness, Giannis sees Davis set up prime to severely alter his shot. Giannis spots Curry in the corner for an open three which he drains to win the game for Team 2021, 121-118. Curry delivers 39 points on top of the game-winning basket while Giannis scored 48 points with 14 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 blocks.

Final Result: 2021 Team LeBron All-Stars vs. 2018 Team LeBron All-Stars 121-118

MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo

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