Curry picks Harden as his backcourt mate
One more Rockets win or Spurs loss ensures D’Antoni to coach them against Team LeBron
After LeBron James and Stephen Curry emerged from their super-secret NBA All-Star draft, far from the public scrutiny and debate about their selections that both said they would welcome next season, at least one thing was clear about the plan both executed.
After James chose Kevin Durant with the first pick of the draft — a pick obvious when Durant was not on Curry’s team, though neither would divulge even that much of their draft order — the All-Star captains went for harmony, or at least familiarity.
That could bring the drama and storylines hidden from public view when the choices were made on a conference call, rather than in front of cameras.
It also could keep a pair of Rockets together, though that won’t be determined until the Rockets win one more game (or the San Antonio Spurs lose a game) and Mike D’Antoni takes over as the Team Stephen coach with James Harden in his back-
court as usual.
In the hours before Thursday’s closed-door draft, Harden and D’Antoni (likely to be the coach from the Western Conference with Steve Kerr ineligible after his All-Star turn last season) indicated they’d like it that way, though they didn’t seem to care much one way or another.
As the teams took shape, however, plenty of teammates past and present were made teammates again, in some cases in intriguing reunions.
James’ team kept together teammates Bradley Beal and John Wall, Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, and James and Kevin Love. He also brought former teammates, thought to have gone through difficult breakups of varying degrees together, when he reunited with Kyrie Irving and selected Russell Westbrook to team with Durant.
Curry made sure he had the most teammates together, choosing fellow Golden State Warriors Draymond Green and Klay Thompson to join him, but he also paired Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns and Jimmy Butler, and put longtime Los Angeles friends Harden and DeRozan together.
Mum’s the word
When James was unwilling to reveal the first pick of the draft, as obvious as it was, Curry followed suit. Even when TNT’s Ernie Johnson assumed Curry chose Harden with his first selection. Curry hesitated and said, “I can’t divulge that information.”
When Johnson pressed James for his first pick, James said, “I can’t tell you, man. I might have to kill you if I tell you that.”
James assembled a starting lineup around him with Irving, Durant and New Orleans big men Cousins and Davis.
Curry put together a starting lineup with Joel Embiid joining him, Harden, DeRozan and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The NBA would not release the draft order and stipulated only that the captains choose the other eight players selected as starters in a vote of the fans, players and media members before choosing from the pool of reserves chosen by the coaches.
James loaded up on former AllStar Game MVPs Davis, Westbrook, Durant and Irving, a group that with his own two All-Star MVP selections has all seven MVPs represented in the game.
James’ reserves in addition to Westbrook, Love, Beal and Wall are Kristaps Porzingis and LaMarcus Aldridge. Curry’s reserves in addition to his Warriors teammates are Damian Lillard, Butler, Lowry, Towns and Al Horford.
Harden said Thursday morning he did not care whether he would be selected by Curry or James, other than liking the idea of playing for D’Antoni and the Rockets’ coaching staff.
“That’d be cool, too,” Harden said. “I‘m just happy to be there. I’m sure Mike doesn’t care. We’re just going to have fun and put on a show.”
D’Antoni, though hesitant to discuss an honor he had not yet received, was happy to work that weekend, having enjoyed his time coaching his Phoenix Suns players Steve Nash, Amar’e Stoudemire and Shawn Marion in 2007. He said he would not look to rest Harden or play the rival Warriors extensively, instead spreading minutes equally until the closing
minutes with plenty of input.
D’Antoni considered any recognition that might come his way that he was more exited about redirecting the spotlight to his staff — Jeff Bzdelik, Roy Rogers and Brett Gunning, along with the development staff John Lucas and Irv Roland.
“If, if we do it, I hate to even say the words, but it would be a great honor,” D’Antoni said. “It’s something that’s fun. The assistant coaches … are more deserving than me. I did it once, which was fun, but I’d be even happier for all the people around that make this happen.
“I’d get more joy out of that than anything. People would see what I experience every day.”
Simply ‘the best’
Harden went a step further, saying his fellow All-Stars would get a feel for the Rockets’ bench.
“It’s how cool they are,” he said. “They’re the coolest coaching staff in the league, the best coaching staff as well. Their execution, their personality, overall from top to bottom, the best.
“Other players will get an opportunity to see how cool (D’Antoni) is.”
Of course, most coaches can be laid back on All-Star Weekend. This season, with Curry and James choosing teams, the NBA hoped the players will not be so casual, at least not when on the court, even if the draft order itself was kept under wraps.