Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and the main reason his team can dream.
As announced Thursday, he will be making his record 20th All-Star Game appearance, and once again as a starter.
But James is also the only All-Star starter in either the Western Conference or the East, that hails from a team with a losing record. The Lakers were 22-23 entering Thursday’s game against the Chicago Bulls — and the All-Star starters were announced before the game.
That’s not intended as a shot at James. He undoubtedly belongs. Even at the age of 39, he remains one of the league’s most dangerous weapons.
It’s just to show that, yes, this is a popularity contest, and yes, that’s OK. The game is for the fans. Let them see who they want to see in the starting lineup, regardless of whether it makes total sense (and again, James makes sense).
Perhaps fans are smart enough to realize that the Lakers wouldn’t be anywhere near .500 without James. They’d likely resemble something close to Anthony Davis‘ old New Orleans Pelicans teams — at best.
LA may not be going anywhere as currently constructed, but James is the biggest reason they still might (maybe) have a chance. For that, he deserves starter consideration. His prior body of work is what puts him over the top. Like it or not, that’s just the way it goes. He’s not the only All-Star to ever start and come from a team that was under .500 at the time of the selection.
Along with James, Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will start for the West.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton and Bucks guard Damian Lillard were voted East starters.
The Lakers entered Thursday night in ninth place in the West.
The All-Star Game is scheduled for Feb. 18 in Indianapolis.
An NBA record 20th All-Star selection for The King 👑
LeBron James is an #NBAAllStar Captain! pic.twitter.com/XJ9F5QHVFV
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 26, 2024
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