by Steven Perez
posted on January 29, 2018
The best all-star garages
The NBA is selecting their all-star teams through an entirely new process this year. The new format involves a draft in which captains from each conference choose their team of all-stars, and rather conveniently for fans, the all-star teams this year are captained by LeBron James and Stephen Curry.
The league’s all-stars are named the same way as in recent years — a combination of votes from fans, coaches, and select media members will determine a group of 12 players from the Eastern and Western conference each. But now, the leading vote-getter from each coast (James and Curry) serves as captain and drafts their team from the pool of the 22 remaining all-stars. So the all-star game this year is no longer East vs. West, it’s LeBron vs. Steph.
King James and Chef Curry, the two biggest names in American sports, are fierce rivals after battling in the last three consecutive NBA Finals. The matchup between the two superstars should up the competition level for this year’s all-star weekend and provide great fodder for the sports media.
Now that the all-star draft results have been announced, I’m looking at which cars the starters from each squad drive, and choosing a winner based on automotive taste. I can’t think of a more accurate predictor for the outcome of a basketball game, so let’s get to it.
The Chefs
STEPHEN CURRY
Porsche 911 GT3 RS (Image: total911)
Steph is a low-key guy, but the Warrior has some head-turning whips fit for a two-time NBA MVP. He once pushed a glossy black Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, but more recently has been driving a Porsche Panamera to games. Steph also has a Tesla Model X for moving around his famously adorable family and a red 911 GT3 RS as a personal toy. The finely-tuned 911 GT3 RS is about the most capable road car out there and is the perfect supercar for the superstar point guard.
DEMAR DEROZAN
DeMar DeRozan of DeToronto Raptors likes to drive comfortably up in the Canadian winters. The high-flying guard has been spotted driving a Bentley Continental GT, a Range Rover, and a blacked-out Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG. Somewhat standard fare for a wealthy professional athlete, but luxurious nonetheless.
JAMES HARDEN
James Harden’s Bentley Bentayga (Image: GQ)
As with most multi-million-dollar NBA stars, James Harden has owned many cars during his career. Most notably, The Beard drives the new Bentley Bentayga SUV and a luxurious two-tone Rolls-Royce Wraith. The Wraith matches the Houston Rockets’ colors with red and black paint, so Harden gets points for being on-brand.
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO
Giannis’s BMW i8 (Image: Giannis Antetokounmpo)
When the Greek Freak signed his $100 million contract in 2016, the 21-year-old had to learn how to drive for the first time. Milwaukee Bucks General Manager John Hammond bravely sat shotgun in a Ford Edge as Giannis practiced driving and parking to prepare for his driving test, which he eventually passed. He has since picked up a BMW i8, a huge upgrade over taking a cab to games at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
JOEL EMBIID
Philadelphia 76er Joel Embiid signed a $148 million contract extension last year, but the young center is a regular millennial — he doesn’t drive. The seven-foot native Cameroonian sends much of his money back home to his family and is satisfied with splurging on his video games.
The LeBrons
KEVIN DURANT
KD has driven a wide variety of whips since entering the league in 2007. He’s cruised around in a Lincoln Continental, Jeep Wrangler, Ferrari California, and a Chevy Camaro, among others. As a Warrior, he’s taken to driving his Range Rover around the bay, keeping a lower profile now that he’s in a bigger and flashier market than OKC.
LEBRON JAMES
LeBron’s Lamborghini Aventador Roadster (Image: motor1)
LeBron has been seen in everything from a purple 1975 Chevy Impala to a custom wrapped Lamborghini Aventador Roadster. LeBron’s sizeable car collection also includes a Porsche 911 Turbo S, Maybach 57S, Ferrari F430 Spider, and a Jeep Wrangler. He has an endorsement deal with Kia, a penchant for flashy paint schemes, and mountains of money to spend on his rides. A very strong showing from the King of Ohio.
KYRIE IRVING
Kyrie Irving’s Jeep Wrangler (Image: Jeep)
Over Kyrie’s six-and-a-half years in the NBA, he has driven an Audi R8, Lamborghini Aventador Roadster, and a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. The Jeep is the car Kyrie seems to take most places, including Boston when he was traded before the season to the Celtics. It broke down on the second day at his new job, but he stands by it and even got it featured in a Jeep advertising campaign.
ANTHONY DAVIS
The New Orleans Pelicans’ star forward Anthony Davis has owned the likes of the Bentley Continental GT and Mercedes-Benz S550 — plush cruisers that should be able to manage his 6’11 frame behind the wheel. He also had a Dodge Challenger customized with giant graphics and his number painted on the trunk lid.
DEMARCUS COUSINS
Boogie’s Oldsmobile Cutlass (Image: DeMarcus Cousins)
Boogie Cousins is the baddest big man in the league, and he’s got the wheels to back it up. Alongside a Rolls-Royce Wraith and the obligatory Range Rover, Cousins drives a matte black Porsche Panamera with 22-inch Forgiatos. The highlight of Boogie’s garage is his ’72 Oldsmobile Cutlass, which is fully customized inside and out. It has a fuel-injected LS2 motor, limited-slip differential, and a diamond-crusted keychain with Boogie’s initials.
The Verdict
The nod has to go to the starters of LeBron James’s LeBrons. Led by his own collection, LeBron’s squad’s collective garage has too much horsepower and too much custom work. Steph Curry’s all-stars are hamstringed by a couple of young big men new to driving, but Boogie’s Cutlass just fits him too well.
Steven Perez
Steven is an avid car guy and content maker at Turo. Between Golden State Warriors games he can be found getting lost somewhere in California.
