On Thursday night, LeBron James created history once more when he was selected as one of the starting players for
the 2024 All-Star Game. James has now broken the tie with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most All-Star selections
with 20, setting a new record. Following the Lakers’ 141-132 victory over the Chicago Bulls, LeBron was questioned
about his most recent historic achievement.
“I’m just very gifted, very blessed, very humbled,” stated LeBron. “And it means a lot to me that the fans chose me to
start for the NBA All-Star team for the twentieth and twentieth straight times. I want to thank them for that. I simply
attempt to show up here, work hard, and then wait for the hard work to pay off in each individual game. It’s always
an honor to be on such a platform, and hopefully I can keep making my fans proud.”
James claimed it motivated him when asked if he was still a little disappointed about not making the All-Star team as
a rookie.
James said, “It made me stronger going into year two.” And it made me realize that, despite my rookie year’s
excellent first half, I still needed to put in more effort. I consider myself fortunate to have not made it through my
first year since it forced me to realize that I must work even harder.”
The only season LeBron did not make the All-Star team was his debut year, 2003–04. That year, he came in fourth in
fan voting among guards in the Eastern Conference, and the head coaches in the East decided not to play him in the
reserves either.
LeBron would have been extremely motivated by it, and he has responded by starting 20 straight seasons. We
discuss the absurd records that the 39-year-old currently holds, and this one may prove to be the hardest to surpass.
As he shows no signs of slowing down, it’s possible that he will continue to be a starter for the foreseeable future. In
his injury comeback game against the Bulls, James finished with 25 points, 4 rebounds, 12 assists, 2 steals, and a 10-
19 shooting percentage. LeBron and Gilbert Arenas engaged in some fantastic on-court duels, and Arenas has always
had nothing but praise for the NBA’s all-time top scorer. In a recent interview with Podcast P, Arenas discussed what
sets James apart from other NBA players.
“LeBron James was one of those players [who was] smart, so smart that he plays to his strengths and never his
weaknesses,” Arenas stated. Saying something like, ‘He’s not this guy, he’s not a one-on-one man, he knows that his
skill, he won’t try to do it,’ is not accurate. He will play to his very best, which is difficult to achieve. LeBron mastered
this strategy: just focus on what he does well, hone it, and continue to grow older and wiser. What do you suppose
was coming down the lane then, if you believe he’s quick now?”
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To reach to this point, LeBron did concentrate on and hone his strengths. Though I think he worked on improving
some of his flaws as well, such as the outside shot, he has been able to maintain his dominance as he ages.
