How many times has LeBron James been to the All Star Game? Appearances and MVPs
Now set to take over the mantle from the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in terms of All-Star Game selections and appearances, it’s been a historic year for LeBron James.
When the Lakers star takes to the court in the 74th NBA All-Star game, he will not only be making history in terms of his selections for the famous game, but he will also have the opportunity to join an elite group of players if he can add another All-Star MVP award to his CV. We can only watch and wait.
LeBron James rules the NBA All-Star Game
All eyes will be on the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah this weekend when the NBA All-Star Weekend tips off on Friday 17th, February. Of course, the showpiece event will be the All-Star Game itself, which is scheduled for Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. ET. Cleveland (Ohio) will be the epicenter for basketball fans this weekend as the city hosts the 2022 All-Star event with the biggest event of the weekend, the NBA All-Star Game set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday. At that point, it goes without saying that the focus will be on Lakers icon, LeBron James.
In what is set to be his 19th consecutive appearance, James has now passed the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to take over the top spot on the NBA’s all-time All-Star appearances list. In tandem with that feat, James is also the new all-time All-Star Game selections leader with 20. With that, James has capped off an incredible 2023 having also surpassed Abdul-Jabbar on the NBA’s all-time points list as well just a week ago. Keep in mind, we’re only in mid-February. That’s to say that there is no telling where James could end up in terms of NBA records by the time this season and his career as a whole comes to an end.
What about LeBron James All-Star MVP awards?
At present the 37-year-old Akron native has got three All-Star MVPs to his name. Though he was close to a fourth last year, it was Golden State’s Steph Curry who got the nod in the end. As such, James now has yet another chance to claim a coveted fourth, which would put him amongst select group of players who do.
Having won the MVP nomination in 1956, 1958 (co-MVP) 1959 and 1962, former Milwaukee Hawks - later based in Atlanta - player Bob Pettit held the four-MVP record on his own for 49 years. That record was later matched, however, by the late and great Kobe Bryant, who scooped the MVP award in 2002, 2007, 2009 (co-MVP with Shaquille O’Neal) and 2011. Could it be that James is about to join them? If we consider the way he’s been playing lately, it wouldn’t be a bad bed to make. To be clear, James is in terrific form heading into the All-Star Game, with an average of 30.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.1 assists. So, don’t be surprised if he adds another milestone to an already long list.