The 2025 NBA All-Star Draft, a new one for this season, has concluded and Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkely all made interesting picks, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way for “World All-Stars.”

Inside the NBA facilitated this year’s All-Star draft and all three hosts were assigned with a team, to pick eight players.

According to the new format, four teams will compete in the semifinal with Rising Stars champions being the fourth one. Winners of the two games will advance to the next round for the championship.

Shaq appears to be sentimental with his picks as he chose who are close to his age. His team is composed of veterans with whom he overlapped with in the league.

Lebron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant of Phoenix Suns, James Harden of Los Angeles Clippers all got to play in the same year/s as Shaq and they are in his team.

Joining them are new Mavs player Anthony Davis, Milwaukee Bucks’ Damian Lillard, and Boston Celtics star forwards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Team Kenny is more youthful. The former Houston Rockets forward selected Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Evan Mobley and Darius Garland (Cleveland Cavaliers), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies), Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder), Tyler Herro (Miami Heat), and Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons).

Giannis Antetokoumpo leads World All-Stars for NBA All-Star 2025

There was clamor before that the NBA All-Star should instead have American stars play against their international counterparts.

Fans will get that on some levels based on the picks made by Chuck.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the lead vote-getter in this year’s edition, was Barkley’s first pick.

Joining the Greek Freak on Team Chuck are three-time MVP Nikola Jokic from Serbia, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from Canada, Victor Wembanyama from France, Pascal Siakam from Cameroon, Alperen Sengun from Turkey, and Karl Anthony Towns from the Dominican Republic.

Donovan Mitchell is the only American in the line up.

Chuck’s team has three current MVP contenders and six starters. Are they the team to beat?

The All-Star Game will be held on February 16 at the Golden State Warriors’ Chase Center.

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