During the 2023 NBA All-Star weekend, something intriguing happened that now seems like a clever move in hindsight. Giannis Antetokounmpo, one of the team captains, was the first pick in the player draft. Many expected him to choose his Bucks teammate, Jrue Holiday, but he surprised everyone, including LeBron James, by selecting Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers.
LeBron James playfully commented on this surprising pick, noting that Giannis often talked about loyalty and expected him to choose Jrue. In retrospect, it appears that Giannis might have had a plan all along.
“Giannis has changed this weekend, He always talks about loyalty, to being loyal, all that stuff, right? So I knew for sure his first pick was gonna be Jrue. So I don’t know what’s going on with Giannis, but OK, OK, messing my whole draft board up now.”:James Lebbron said jokingly at the time.
Watch this moment from last season’s All-Star Draft.
Giannis picks Dame with his first pick instead of Jrue. LeBron smells fish and calls it out. pic.twitter.com/I1nQW9uwfj
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) September 27, 2023
Lillard, who later requested a trade from Portland, had initially set his sights on joining the Miami Heat. However, he ended up being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis’s decision to draft Lillard first in the All-Star Game may have played a role in bringing them together on the same team.
LeBron James seemed to sense this strategic move by Giannis, recognizing it before anyone else. It’s a fascinating twist in the world of basketball, where even an All-Star draft can have real-world implications for player relationships and trades.
