The 2022 NBA All-Star Game is almost upon us. It is slated for Sunday, February 20th, in Cleveland, Ohio. It will be the 71st NBA All-Star Game. On Thursday, the starters were announced, filled with names most would expect.

The Eastern Conference starters are Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, DeMar DeRozan and Trae Young.

The Western Conference starters will counter with LeBron James, Nikola Jokic, Andrew Wiggins, Stephen Curry and Ja Morant.

Kevin Durant was named to his 12th All-Star team and is also the captain. However, with Durant's injury, he will obviously miss his chance to shine. His replacement is yet to be announced.

Antetokounmpo, the two-time NBA MVP, is up for the award again this season. He has the Bucks vying for the top spot in the Eastern Conference yet again.

The starting center is Embiid, who is playing at a level right now rarely seen. Over the last two weeks, Embiid is averaging 37 points, 12 rebounds and four assists per game. That's just bananas.

It will be the fifth All-Star appearance for DeRozan, and the second for Young.

Meanwhile, over in the west, the guard combination of Stephen Curry and Ja Morant might be the most electric tandem the All-Star game has ever seen.

The matchup at center is amazing, featuring Jokic vs. Embiid. Jokic, the reigning league MVP, is having another bonkers year. He is posting 26 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists per game. Jokic leads the league in double-doubles and triple doubles this season.

Wiggins will be making his first All-Star game appearance in his eighth season in the NBA. His rise was unexpected after a disappointing start to his career. However, he has been rejuvenated in Golden State.

Lakers superstar LeBron James led all fan votes and will make his 18th All-Star team. That ties Kobe Bryant for the second most ever, one behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who has 19. He was also named the captain. As a captain, he is 4-0 in NBA All-Star games.