LeBron James has once again been chosen as the top pick in the upcoming NBA All-Star Game. The annual event is set to take place on February 16 in San Francisco, and the selection was announced during a broadcast on TNT, featuring analysts Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley who participated in drafting the All-Star teams.

O’Neal humorously referred to the NBA superstar as “LeBron Eduardo James,” despite his real middle name being Raymone. The comment reflects O’Neal’s tendency to create quirky middle names, but it was nonetheless a triumphant moment as James, now a 21-time All-Star, was again drafted first, reminiscent of when he entered the league in 2003.

In an effort to enhance the competitiveness of the All-Star Game, the NBA has introduced a new tournament format for this year’s event. The 24 selected All-Stars will be divided into three teams of eight players each. This fresh approach aims to create a more thrilling atmosphere, moving away from the previous structures that have garnered criticism for lacking competitiveness.

Barkley opted for a roster made primarily of players with international roots. His team includes standout talents like Nikola Jokic from Serbia, Giannis Antetokounmpo from Greece, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from Canada, and Victor Wembanyama from France, among others. This strategy highlights the league’s growing globalization and the impressive talents emerging from countries around the world.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver mentioned recently that while there has been discussion about organizing a U.S. versus World matchup, such an idea poses challenges in terms of equitable roster selection. Approximately 70% of the league consists of American players, with around 30% representing international backgrounds. Silver acknowledged that the traditional concept of a competitive U.S. squad taking on the world might not resonate well with all players and emphasized the importance of maintaining a competitive yet entertaining All-Star environment.

Last year’s All-Star Game set records for scoring, culminating in a staggering 211-186 result dominated by three-pointers and dunks. This year’s format introduces a four-team tournament that incorporates the Rising Stars competition for early-career players, taking place on February 14. The winners of that matchup will gain entry into the All-Star Game under the name Team Candace, in honor of Candace Parker, while the other teams will be known as Team Shaq, Team Kenny, and Team Charles.

Here’s a summary of the rosters based on their draft positions:

**Team Shaq**:
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers (1); Stephen Curry, Golden State (5); Anthony Davis, Dallas (9); Jayson Tatum, Boston (10); Kevin Durant, Phoenix (14); Damian Lillard, Milwaukee (18); James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers (19); Jaylen Brown, Boston (24).

**Team Kenny**:
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota (2); Jalen Brunson, New York (6); Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis (7); Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City (11); Darius Garland, Cleveland (15); Evan Mobley, Cleveland (16); Cade Cunningham, Detroit (20); Tyler Herro, Miami (23).

**Team Charles**:
Nikola Jokic, Denver (3); Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee (4); Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City (8); Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio (12); Pascal Siakam, Indiana (13); Alperen Sengun, Houston (17); Karl-Anthony Towns, New York (21); Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland (22).