LeBron James: The King claims he didn’t ‘slander’ the Utah Jazz

Only LeBron James could dominate the NBA news cycle (Before Blake Griffin got bought out!) even when the Lakers are on an eight-day hiatus. LeBron and Kevin Durant selected the reserves for their respective teams for the All-Star game! Who would have thought that King James would have middle-aged NBA fans reliving their childhood with the troll job of a lifetime!

LeBron James just made the All-Star selections must-see TV at least until he retires. On Thursday night, James and his counterpart captain, Kevin Durant, selected the reserves for their respective teams to compete in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday in Atlanta.

To remind everyone, these are the starters.

Team LeBron: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), Stephen Curry (Warriors), Luka Doncic (Mavericks), Nikola Jokic (Nuggets) and LeBron James (Lakers).

Team Durant: Kyrie Irving (Nets), Kawhi Leonard (Clippers), Joel Embiid (Sixers), Bradley Beal (Wizards), and Jayson Tatum (Celtics).

There’s no drama here right? Outside of possibly Utah Jazz’s starting point guard Mike Conley Jr. not making the team (He’s since been added replacing Devin Booker) despite having the best season of his career.

But by the end of the selection process, LeBron James and Kevin Durant looked more like “Petty Pendergrass” and “Petty Riley” choosing the players for the Utah Jazz last.

It does look kind of strange considering that the Jazz are the number one seed in the Western Conference (Lakers are currently third!) and own the best record overall at 27-9. Then there was that beatdown the Los Angeles Lakers took at the hands of Utah recently.

• Los Angeles Lakers embarrassed in blowout against the Utah Jazz
• Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Lessons in a humiliating loss to Utah Jazz

Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell felt the emotions that no basketball player from the NBA to pickup can relate to… Being selected last!

LeBron selected two-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert with his last pick. Durant selected Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell.

Here’s where the comedy by LeBron James started. 

The final three players left on the board were Domantas Sabonis of the Indiana Pacers and the two Jazz players.

LeBron stated with conviction, “I need some size,” and then shocked the TNT broadcast team by saying “I’ll take Sabonis.” Charles Barkley made his feelings known immediately.

To LeBron’s credit (Wink..wink!) Sabonis does have size. Just not as much size as Gobert. There is a slight difference between a 7’1 (With a 7’9 wingspan!) 258 pound Rudy Gobert and a 6-11, 240-pound Damontas Sabonis (Wink wink!).

Let’s compare the stats between the two, shall we?

• Sabonis season averages: 21.1 points, 11.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game.
• Gobert season averages: 14.2 points, 13.1 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.

Forget the basketball analysis, LeBron James had his own reasons for ignoring the two Utah Jazz representatives.

The explanation from James was actually funnier than the Sabonis selection!

https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1367652953524334595

Wow, that’s cold, but let’s clear, both players are all-time greats. These two didn’t accidentally become the NBA’s all-time assist leader (John Stockton) and NBA’s all-time second-leading scorer (Karl Malone) by doing flashy moves from the And-One Mixtape Tour.

This article is written in fun and hopefully, Gobert doesn’t get salty over being picked last and enjoys the experience. Someone had to be picked last and there are a ton of talented players who DID NOT make the All-Star Game that would love to be in Gobert’s last spot. Here’s how the reserve picks ended up.

Team LeBron: Damian Lillard (Blazers), Ben Simmons (Sixers), Chris Paul (Suns), Jaylen Brown (Celtics), Paul George (Clippers), Domantas Sabonis (Pacers) and Rudy Gobert (Jazz).

Team Durant: James Harden (Nets), Mike Conley Jr. (Jazz), Zion Williamson (Pelicans), Zach LaVine (Bulls), Julius Randle (Knicks), Nikola Vučević (Magic) and Donovan Mitchell (Jazz).

A huge shoutout goes to LeBron James for giving casual fans a genuine reason to watch the game looking for drama. The NBA feeds on this and it does take away from the controversy of playing a game in the middle of a COVID-19 pandemic with some players speaking out on not wanting to play.

But Lake Show Life will finish with this, If Rudy Gobert plays as he did in the 2019-20 All-Star game, knocking down 10-of-11 shots for 21 points with 11 rebounds, Team LeBron wins in a blowout.

Lake Show Life will have a special All-Star edition post-game report with a few highlights. Keep it locked.