NBA All-Star Game: Will LeBron’s Absence Matter?

We have to go back to 2004, more than two decades ago, to find traces of the last NBA All-Star Game played without LeBron James. The iPhone did not exist at the time, Olympique Lyonnais dominated French football head and shoulders and Michael Jordan had just retired from professional football for the third time. Needless to say, it’s dated. The King has been indestructible ever since.

An icon that spans the ages and generations. But the end is coming, even for a legend like him. For the first time in 21 years, James was not elected among the ten starters chosen jointly by the public, the players and the media to start the next gala match which traditionally cuts the NBA season in two.

The end of an era in the NBA

Now that his place in one of the five majors is (a priori) excluded, the question of his presence for the event arises. An All-Star Game without LeBron James? Once again, it seems unthinkable. And yet, it is ultimately not surprising. His absence mainly follows a sporting logic, given that the ten starters are having a more productive season than him. The 41-year-old veteran was missing the first 14 games of the season due to sciatica and he posted the lowest statistics (22.5 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists) of his career, with the exception of his very first exercise in the NBA. It would absolutely not be a scandal if he were not selected by the coaches to join the group of reservists who will be announced on February 1st.

So can we really attend an ASG with Stephen Curry and probably Kevin Durant but without James when the weekend of festivities is planned “at home”, in Los Angeles, and doubt still hangs over his possible retirement? Here again, it is difficult to imagine such a scenario that most of us have almost never experienced. Especially with 14 replacements to be named, including 9 American players, there are still places to be taken.

The NBA has planned a 3-team tournament with two selections from the United States and another made up of international basketball players. And with the advent of European stars, it is especially the spots in Team World that will be expensive. Doncic, Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo are already guaranteed to participate. With, behind, candidates like Deni Avdija, Jamal Murray, Alperen Sengun, Pascal Siakam, Lauri Markkanen, Franz Wagner and Josh Giddey.

A completely accessible replacement position

Competition is less fierce on the American side despite a larger tank. Anthony Edwards and Donovan Mitchell will most likely be present. Devin Booker, thanks to the surprising performances of the Suns, and Kevin Durant too. Kawhi Leonard displays a very high level of play but his Clippers have had a particularly difficult start to the season and the winger is suffering from a knee injury again, which could call his participation into question.

Scottie Barnes will represent the Raptors, also having a very good season. Jalen Johnson could be invited to mark the occasion of his change of dimension but his team, the Hawks, are going through a bad patch right when the coaches are going to make their decision. Same for Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks. The stats of the pivot (who plays for the Dominican Republic in FIBA ​​and would prefer to be selectable in the foreign team) are decreasing.

So that leaves room for James, who will also benefit in part from the respect of coaches who grew up watching him dominate the NBA. Besides, sometimes it’s all about dynamics. The matches missed by James at the start of the season are far behind. Antetokounmpo, Jokic, Wembanyama… many stars have missed a dozen. Currently, number 23 of the Lakers is stringing them together while showing himself at the statistical level necessary to at least be in the list of contenders.

The league could intervene as a last resort. Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki were added to All-Star Game rosters in their final seasons. Can the NBA do the same with LeBron James and Chris Paul? The difference is that the King, in fact, did not give details on the rest of his career. He often hints that he will be leaving soon but without confirming that this is his last run. Note, however, that a patch honoring his 23rd season (a record) is now attached and then detached from his jersey at each match. The objects thus become collector’s items which will certainly sell at a high price.

A start in the All-Star Game cannot even be ruled out, since there will be three teams and therefore 15 starters. In 2003, Vince Carter left his place to Michael Jordan, not chosen by the fans, in the major five of the Eastern Conference. Out of respect for the immense career of the six-time champion. A tribute to which LeBron James could also claim in a few weeks.