Here is the Complete List of NBA All-Stars Selected for the 2020 Game
I still remember the excitement building up to the 2020 NBA All-Star Game—it felt like basketball's ultimate celebration was taking on special significance that year. Having followed the league for over two decades, I've developed a particular appreciation for how All-Star selections reflect both career achievements and current-season brilliance. The 2020 roster represented one of the most fascinating mixes of established legends and emerging talents I've seen in recent memory.
Let me start with the captains, because honestly, who could've imagined a better pairing than LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo? LeBron, in his record-tying 16th All-Star selection, was somehow still playing at an MVP level in his 17th season—the man was 35 years old and averaging 25 points, 8 rebounds, and leading the league in assists with nearly 11 per game. Meanwhile, Giannis was coming off his MVP season and putting up even more ridiculous numbers: 30 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists per game while anchoring the league's best defense. I've always believed that All-Star games need this kind of star-power balance, and having these two as captains created the perfect narrative tension between established greatness and ascending dominance.
The Western Conference starters featured some predictable but no less deserving names. James Harden was in the midst of his historic scoring run, averaging over 34 points for the second straight season—though I'll admit I've always been more impressed by Luka Dončić's selection at just 20 years old. Watching Luka make his first All-Star appearance felt like witnessing the official arrival of the next generation. Then there was Kawhi Leonard, who always brings that two-way excellence that I personally value more than pure scorers, and Anthony Davis, whose defensive impact often gets overlooked in these conversations but shouldn't.
Over in the East, the starting lineup had this interesting blend of familiar faces and fresh blood. Kemba Walker made his fourth straight appearance, Trae Young got his first deserved nod after that explosive sophomore season where he was putting up nearly 30 points and 9 assists, and Pascal Siakam represented Toronto's successful transition from the Kawhi era. But what really stood out to me was Joel Embiid's continued presence—when healthy, he remains the most dominant traditional big man in the game, and his All-Star selections always feel like affirmations of that old-school center value.
The reserves told their own compelling stories. Chris Paul's selection at age 34 was one of my favorite narratives—here was a veteran who'd been written off by many, leading an unexpected Thunder resurgence. Then there was Damian Lillard, who I've always thought deserves more recognition than he gets, making his fifth appearance while putting up career numbers. The first-time selections always capture my attention too—Brandon Ingram's transformation in New Orleans, Bam Adebayo's emergence as Miami's defensive anchor, and Domantas Sabonis representing Indiana's consistent excellence.
What made the 2020 game particularly memorable in my view was how it balanced legacy selections with deserving newcomers. Russell Westbrook made his ninth straight appearance while adapting his game in Houston, and Khris Middleton got his second nod as Milwaukee's reliable second option. But I found myself equally excited about Jayson Tatum's first All-Star selection—watching his development into a bona fide star has been one of the pleasures of recent seasons.
The international flavor of the roster also struck me as noteworthy. Beyond Giannis and Luka, we had Rudy Gobert representing France, Nikola Jokić from Serbia, and Ben Simmons from Australia. Having followed international basketball closely, I appreciate how the NBA's global talent pool has enriched the All-Star experience, making it truly a world celebration of basketball excellence.
Now, I know some fans debate whether All-Star selections should prioritize career achievement or current-season performance, but I've always fallen somewhere in between. Seeing Vince Carter receive consideration in his final season, for instance, would have been a wonderful tribute even if his numbers didn't match his legacy. The 2020 roster managed to balance these considerations beautifully, honoring established stars while ensuring deserving first-timers got their moment.
Thinking about that All-Star weekend in Chicago, what stands out in my memory is how it represented basketball at its most joyful before the pandemic changed everything. The game itself featured that unforgettable fourth-quarter format where teams played to a target score in honor of Kobe Bryant—a fitting tribute that created one of the most competitive All-Star finishes I've ever witnessed. The intensity of those final minutes, with both teams actually playing defense in an All-Star game, was something special that I hope becomes a permanent fixture.
Looking back, the 2020 All-Star selections captured a particular moment in NBA history—the twilight of one generation's dominance, the prime of another, and the emergence of the next. Having watched All-Star weekends for years, I can say this particular group represented one of the most balanced and exciting rosters in recent memory. It's fascinating how these selections become time capsules of the league's evolution, and the 2020 group will always represent that final celebration of basketball normalcy before the world changed.
