Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is set to make his 17th consecutive All-Star appearance in 2021.
James has been selected as a starter in each of the 17 All-Star games he has been selected for and he's been the overall leading vote-getter eight times in his career (2007, 2010, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021).
With the new All-Star Game format that was adopted in 2018, James' popularity has resulted in his serving as the captain of "Team LeBron" for the past three years, earning the first pick in the All-Star Draft.
LeBron has posted averages of 24.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists through 16 All-Star appearances, and his performances have earned him All-Star Game MVP honours three times (2006, 2008, 2019) – only Kobe Bryant and Bob Pettit have won the award more times.
Ahead of his 17th appearance, take a look back at some of LeBron James' best All-Star moments.
2005 – Debut
East 125, West 115
LeBron: 13 PTS (6-13 FG), 8 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL in 31 MIN
After missing out in his rookie year, a 20-year-old James made his All-Star debut in his sophomore campaign – it didn't take long for him to show exactly why the fans voted him in. James electrified the Pepsi Center crowd with his passes and dunks, including his signature tomahawk in the second half.
2006 – A historic MVP
East 122, West 120
LeBron: 29 PTS (12-21 FG), 6 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL in 30 MIN
In just his third NBA season, James became the youngest MVP in All-Star Game history (21 years and 51 days). The East trailed by as many as 21 points on the night, but a team-high 29 points from James led the rally that would eventually result in a two-point win.
2008 – MVP No. 2
East 134, West 128
LeBron: 27 PTS (12-22 FG), 9 AST, 8 REB, 2 STL, 2 BLK in 32 MIN
A 23-year-old James earned his second All-Star Game MVP award in 2008 by flirting with a triple-double in New Orleans. LeBron finished with 27 points, nine assists and eight rebounds to help the Eastern Conference All-Stars hold off the West, who entered the fourth quarter trailing by 13 points.
2011 – An All-Star triple-double
West 148, East 143
LeBron: 29 PTS (10-18 FG), 12 REB, 10 AST in 32 MIN
In his first All-Star Game as a member of the Miami Heat, James recorded the second triple-double in the history of the exhibition (Michael Jordan) with 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. His performance wasn't enough as the East fell by five points despite cutting the deficit to two late in the fourth quarter.
2012 – All-Star career-high
West 152, East 149
LeBron: 36 PTS (15-23 FG), 7 AST, 6 REB in 32 MIN
In 2012, James led yet another rally as the East trailed by as many as 15 points in the final frame. LeBron would connect on six of his eight 3-point attempts on the night, finishing with 36 points to go along with seven assists and six rebounds as the East had a few chances to win the game late but failed to capitalize.
2018 – The third MVP
Team LeBron 148, Team Stephen 145
LeBron: 29 PTS (12-17 FG), 10 REB, 8 AST in 31 MIN
In the first year in which captains selected rosters in a new playground-style selection process rather than by conference, Team LeBron and Team Stephen battled in a game that would come down to the last possession. James earned his third All-Star Game MVP by leading the team that bore his name with 29 points to go along with 10 rebounds and eight assists.
