NBA All-Star Game 2023: Lakers’ LeBron James ties Kobe Bryant with 18th selection

LeBron James’ unmatched streak of sustained greatness continues with the 18th All-Star selection of his 19-year career.

After missing out as a rookie, James has now been an All-Star for 18 straight seasons, a streak that began with the 2004-05 season. By earning his 18th All-Star selection, James has tied Kobe Bryant for the second-most All-Star selections in NBA history and is just one short of tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was selected for 19 All-Star Games. during his Hall of Fame career.

LeBron might currently be second on the all-time list for All-Star selections, but no one has started more All-Star Games than him. He has been selected as an All-Star starter in each of his 18 All-Star appearances. Not only was James voted the starter in 2023, but he was also the league’s top vote-receiver for the ninth time in his career, tying him with Michael Jordan for the most years as the top All-Star vote-receiver.

James was the most-voted player in the All-Star Game for the fifth straight year, meaning he will serve as All-Star captain during the NBA All-Star Draft for the fifth straight time. Since the NBA adopted its All-Star Draft, “Team LeBron” has posted a perfect 4-0 record in the All-Star Game.

MORE: How does the NBA All-Star Draft work?

James, who turned 37 on December 30, 2023, is the fourth-oldest active player in the NBA and the oldest player selected to start in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game. It’s also worth noting that LeBron is the second-youngest player to make an All-Star appearance (20 years, 52 days) and the youngest All-Star Game MVP in history (21 years, 51 days).

And, for what it’s worth, the NBA All-Star Game MVP is Shaquille O’Neal (36 years, 346 days). James, who is averaging 29.1 points, 7.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game this season, is a viable candidate for the award, which would be the fourth of his career, tying the all-time record held by Bryant and Bob Pettit.

In the history of the NBA All-Star Game, only six players — Abdul-Jabbar, Jordan, Tim Duncan, Karl Malone, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki — have played in the annual event after their 38th birthday. With one more pick, LeBron became the seventh, tying Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time record in the process.

Who has won the most selections for the All-Star Game?

* Nowitzki was a special selection from the list in 2019.