NBA All-Star draft: Investigating LeBron James and Steph Curry's picks

If the NBA is going to keep the All-Star draft order a mystery, USA TODAY Sports is going to do everything we can to investigate. 

We know, with absolute certainty, that Kevin Durant was LeBron James’ first choice. 

“What, we gonna keep this a mystery?” Durant confirmed Thursday night. 

After that, because Stephen Curry wanted to avoid last year’s humbling experience of getting dunked on by Giannis Antetokounmpo, we’re confident he took the Greek Freak at No. 2. 

Next, thanks to the sleuth investigative team at The Athletic, we know James went with Anthony Davis. Plus, the guy scored 52 points in last year's All-Star Game.

We think Curry followed up with MVP frontrunner James Harden. Keep in mind, Curry all but said that Harden wasn't his first pick during an interview on TNT after the rosters were revealed.

Still without a point guard, did James take Kyrie Irving next or double-down on his rim protection with DeMarcus Cousins? We’re guessing Cousins, seeing as Curry likely wouldn’t take Irving on his team, nor would he break up the chance to reunite the former teammates.

So Curry, to combat the size on James' team, opted for Joel Embiid.

James, down to either Irving or DeMar DeRozan, took his former running mate if only to avoid all the messy questions about why he didn’t take him.

"Kyrie was available on the draft board," James said on TNT. "He's one of the best point guards we have in our league, so it was an easy choice for me."

As for the reserves, again, thanks to The Athletic, we know Curry took Klay Thompson with his first pick. (The order flipped beginning with the reserves, so James picked second).

James then went with Russell Westbrook, who was actually not picked last, contrary to what he had been thinking. 

After James shared his list on social media, with Westbrook’s name at the bottom, it initially looked like the reigning MVP was picked last. Not the case. It was simply alphabetical. 

But that does help to explain how Westbrook, thinking he was picked after John Wall, went for 46 points against Washington on Thursday night.

The rest of the reserves, we admit, are somewhat a crapshoot. Repeat: This is our best guess. 

Curry, unwilling to leave his other teammate hanging, goes with Draymond Green with his next pick, which leads us to our next clue.  

"When me and Steph were doing the draft, we started laughing very hard at one point," James said. "I'm not even going to tell you what part it was, but we started laughing very hard at one point."

We believe this is that point. 

James, faced with the decision to round up his teammates like Curry, had to decide on drafting Kevin Love. He opts for Kristaps Porzingis instead. 

Curry takes Jimmy Butler, unwilling to acknowledge the talent in Washington's backcourt.

James, feeling guilty, snags Love with his next pick. Side note: This is better than where Love thinks he was picked.

"Probably dead last," he joked Friday.

Back to Curry, who fortifies his backcourt with Oakland native Damian Lillard. Curry undoubtedly appreciates how seriously Lillard takes his All-Star games.

James, recognizing the amount of shooters on Curry's team, then snags first-time All-Star Bradley Beal.

For chemistry's sake, Curry takes Karl-Anthony Towns to pair with Butler. 

James, enticed with another first-year All-Star, opts for Victor Oladipo.

To stick with the trend of teammates playing together, Curry then takes Kyle Lowry to pair with DeRozan. 

James takes Wall and Curry answers with Al Horford, leaving LaMarcus Aldridge, the 24th best All-Star, as Mr. Irrelevant. 

No more guessing. Televise the draft. 

Team LeBron

• Kevin Durant (First overall pick)
• Anthony Davis (No. 3)
• DeMarcus Cousins (No. 5)
• Kyrie Irving (No. 7)
• Russell Westbrook (No. 10)
• Kristaps Porzingis (No. 12)
• Kevin Love (No. 14)
• Bradley Beal (No. 16)
• Victor Oladipo (No. 18)
• John Wall (No. 20)
• LaMarcus Aldridge (No. 22)

Team Steph

• Giannis Antetokounmpo (No. 2)
• James Harden (No. 4)
• Joel Embiid (No. 6)
• DeMar DeRozan (No. 8)
• Klay Thompson (No. 9)
• Draymond Green (No. 11)
• Jimmy Butler (No. 13)
• Damian Lillard (No. 15)
• Karl-Anthony Towns (No. 17)
• Kyle Lowry (No. 19)
• Al Horford (No. 21)