Recently, the NBA announced the starting list for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, and LeBron James' historic 20th selection is the main attraction. His performance at the start of the season was on par with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 19 games.
Since his rookie season, James has never missed an All-Star game. He was captain in the league's 24-year draft and won three All-Star Game MVP awards.
The All-Star Game was the first loss since the East vs. West in 2017. This year's tournament will revert to the traditional East-West showdown.
James, who is also the team's captain, will start in the West alongside Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, Shay Gilgios-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets and Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns.
The Eastern Conference starting lineup includes Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, and Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks. Brother Alphabet was elected captain of the East.
When did LeBron James not make the All-Star?
LeBron's rookie season in 2003-04 was the last time he wasn't selected as an All-Star. For the past 19 years, he has been recognized as one of the best players in the NBA.
GG Jackson is a forward for the Memphis Grizzlies who was selected with the 45th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, born on December 17, 2004, and is currently the youngest player in the league.
In other words, James has been an NBA player for longer than Jackson. In addition, he was an All-Star for almost all of Jackson's life.
The last time James missed an All-Star break, the SuperSonics were in Seattle, the Nets were in New Jersey, and the Hornets were in New Orleans.
At that time, neither Oklahoma City nor Charlotte had NBA teams, and it took another year for the Bobcats to join the league.
LeBron James All-Star stats and records
In 19 All-Star games, James has a 10-9 record. He was a three-time All-Star MVP in 2006, 2008 and 2018. He averaged 22.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game.
James holds a number of records: a career-high All-Star scoring record of 426 points, a career-high 524 minutes played, an All-Star start-up and appearance-only of 19, a full-time All-Star selection of 20 times, the youngest All-Star MVP at the age of 21 years and 51 days in 2006, and a player with the most votes 10 times.
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