A spot in the NBA All-Star Game has been reserved for LeBron James ever since his sophomore season. His rookie year in 2003-04 is the last time the all-time great did not participate in the festivities. James is all but guaranteed a spot this season, but its for the wrong reasons.
Being chosen as an All-Star should be reflective of who the best players are in the time capsule of that given season. James is certainly still a great player, but this campaign is very debatable of its worthiness to be included among those top stars.
Realistically though, there is very little doubt LeBron will get that honor. That all has to do with one simple thing: the fan vote. Starting on Dec. 17, NBA fans will be given the opportunity to select which players they want to see represented at this year's event.
#NBAAllStar Voting will tip off on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 12 p.m. ET and conclude on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) December 11, 2025
Fans will have the opportunity to vote for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game starters via the NBA App and https://t.co/RiEezZ9Qpf with their NBA ID. pic.twitter.com/Nuvrx6x7he
Los Angeles Lakers fans, and an overall devoted following of the NBA legend, will flock to ensure James gets a spot. At the end of the day, that is fine.
The All-Star Game is intended to be for the fans after all. However, if there was ever going to be a season when it would be justified for LeBron to sit at home and not receive the nod, it would be this one.
LeBron James' All-Star streak will be extended by the fan vote
James is off to a respectable start to his 2025-26 season. The cracks are starting to show a fair bit for the Lakers superstar, but by no means has the soon-to-be 41-year-old fallen off completely.
Thus far in 2025-26, James is averaging 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 7.6 assists in 33.5 minutes per game. The all-time great is shooting 46.8 percent from the field, 30.6 percent from beyond the arc, and 60.7 percent from the free throw line.
Are those All-Star numbers? No.
Perhaps that much can change over the next few weeks. James is playing catch-up after all. His sciatica injury at the beginning of the year has forced him to ease his way back in.
Many fans will not care what those numbers look like. Whatever way you slice it, that's LeBron. That man has been the defining legend of his generation. An All-Star spot belongs to him as long as he is around.
Again, that much is ultimately fair play. Kobe Bryant got an All-Star nod in each of his last three seasons when his production no longer matched that status.
James has his place giftwrapped. After all these incredible seasons, it's hard to even dispute why that is the case. However, there will be at least one deserving player out there who is going to feel slighted about missing out on the All-Star Game.