21 Seasons, 21 Stars: LeBron James Stands Alone in NBA History
LOS ANGELES, CA — LeBron James just did something that defies every law of athletic decay. With the announcement of the 2025 NBA All-Star starters, the Lakers forward officially secured his **21st career selection**. He is the only player in the history of the league to reach this number, moving further past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s previous record of 19. This isn’t just about popularity; it’s about a two-decade-long refusal to let the league pass him by.
KD praises Reed Sheppard after Sheppard scored 12 of his 24 in the 4Q to help Houston earn the W at home!
“I’m gonna start expecting nights like this from him.” pic.twitter.com/53wdKHRa6J
— NBA (@NBA) January 21, 2026
Shattering the Kareem Ceiling
In most sports, year 21 is for coaching or TV booths. For James, year 21 looks like **25 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists per game**. Since he first suited up as an All-Star in Denver back in 2005, the league has seen three different commissioners and hundreds of “next big things” come and go. James remains the constant.
The voting breakdown shows that James didn’t just slide in on reputation. He finished near the top of the Western Conference frontcourt in the player and media vote, proving that his peers still view him as a top-tier threat. He currently leads the Lakers in **minutes per game (35.1)** and ranks in the top 15 league-wide in “clutch points.” While other veterans are managing their bodies for the playoffs, James is still outrunning 20-year-olds in transition, shooting a career-high percentage from beyond the arc to keep his game relevant in the modern spacing era.
Inside the Huddle
“We talk about ‘longevity’ like it’s a passive thing that just happens if you’re lucky. It’s not. 21 selections means 21 years of never taking a night off from your diet, your sleep, or your prep. We will never see a streak like this again.” — NBA Western Conference Coach
The Bottom Line & What’s Next
The focus now shifts to San Francisco. For James, this All-Star Game is a victory lap in a stadium (Chase Center) that has been the site of his most intense rivalries. But don’t expect him to just wave to the crowd. With the Lakers hovering in a tight playoff race, James is using this nod to cement his leverage for the upcoming trade deadline.
The Lakers are rumored to be hunting for a “third star” to take the load off LeBron’s shoulders before the April push. If the front office can land a heavy-hitting guard, this 21st All-Star nod might be the prelude to one final deep postseason run. Keep an eye on the injury reports—if LeBron plays heavy minutes in the All-Star Game, it’s a sign he feels his body is ready for a massive second-half workload. The record is set, but the hunt for ring number five is the only thing he’s actually chasing.
