LeBron James has to make it about himself. LeBron has always had the spotlight on him. It has only grown with his legendary career. Now it seems like his incredible career is starting to wind down, but he simply can’t seem to give up the attention he has had since being a high schooler. This time, LeBron’s need for attention was at the detriment of others. LeBron decided to miss the entire first portion of the All-Star festivities and then show up Sunday with bad news. It was announced late into the weekend that LeBron James’ 21st All-Star Game appearance that many were excited for wasn’t going to happen. Unfortunately, James not playing in the game made it so that another deserving star wasn’t going to get an opportunity.
This Star’s Selfishness Ruined The All-Star Game For Snubs
The LeBron James All-Star Appearance That Wasn’t
For most players, if they are injured, they simply sit out the All-Star Game and let another deserving guy take their spot. Not LeBron though. Instead of allowing for someone to take his spot in the game, LeBron decided to announce just a couple hours before the game that he was not going to suit up. He also didn’t even put on a uniform for his team photo, deciding to stick out in the middle of the shot in street clothes. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been ruled out for weeks. He still showed up for the whole weekend and put on a uniform for photos.
All-Star “OG” Squad 🔥
Bron in street clothes 😢
(via @warriors) pic.twitter.com/HROR7Rthra
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 17, 2025
A Lack of Interest In All-Star Weekend
Although this doesn’t seem like a huge deal, it is pretty disrespectful. It isn’t a huge surprise, however. It is pretty easy to see the correlation of NBA stars stopping to care about the All-Star game with LeBron’s entrance into the league. LeBron has never really taken the game or All-Star Weekend super seriously. He famously never competed in the Slam Dunk Contest, likely causing other stars to drop out over the years.
The real issue however is the timing of James not playing in the game. If LeBron knew that he was injured and unable to suit up, why wouldn’t he announce it earlier? It’s because despite not playing, he still wanted the attention on him for All-Star Weekend.
Giannis showing up for all the events and earnestly doing media in his uniform despite being ruled out for several days is very funny juxtaposed with LeBron opting out hours before the game and wearing street clothes in the team photo https://t.co/t2ec42P8Hw
— Ti Windisch (@TiWindisch) February 17, 2025
LeBron not Playing Robbed These Snubbed Stars
If LeBron has just let the league know he was going to sit out the game, the honor could have been given to someone who actually wanted it. Domantas Sabonis is the first name that comes to mind. Sabonis is averaging 20.4 points, 14.6 rebounds, and 6.2 assists this season. Additionally he is doing it while shooting an insane 60% from the field and 45.5% from three. Sabonis is deserving of a spot in the game. Unfortunately, the fact that he plays in a market like Sacramento will always hurt his chances.
Devin Booker would have been another deserving player to take LeBron’s place. Booker is averaging 26.2 points, 6.7 assists, and four rebounds this season. Although his numbers are down a bit from previous seasons, he has been a staple of the game the last few years. He has been selected for the game in four of the last five seasons prior to this year. Instead of LeBron being in street clothes, fans could have seen one of their favorite players suit up for the festivities.
Photo credit: © Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
