Patryk Stachowiak
LeBron James Faces All-Star Snub
For the first time in over two decades, LeBron James appears vulnerable. Since entering the NBA in 2003, he has been a dominant force, but this season has shown the effects of time, breaking his historic streak of games with at least ten points.
Initial fan voting for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game places James 9th in the Western Conference with 536,555 votes, risking his exclusion from the starting lineup. However, Draymond Green argues that this shouldn’t prevent the Lakers star from participating.
LeBron’s Continued Impact
James’ stats this season 20.3 points and 6.5 assists per game show he remains a vital player for the Los Angeles Lakers. Though no longer the sole offensive focal point, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves sharing responsibilities, his contributions are undeniable.
You ask yourself: coaches will pick him as a reserve? I don’t know. He’s only played 14 games. I don’t know how they are evaluating him and what they will decide.
— Draymond Green
Green’s Proposal: A Special Exception
Green suggests that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver should add James as a special inclusion, similar to the exceptions made for Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki in 2019 during their final seasons.
I’ve played an All-Star Game where the commissioner added Dirk and D-Wade as ‘legends’ of the game. It was their last game, and they deserved it. Same goes for LeBron.
— Draymond Green
Honoring a Legend
Despite fierce competition in the Western Conference, Green insists the NBA should honor James, who at 41, is nearing the end of an extraordinary career.
Many people say: ‘He shouldn’t be an All-Star.’ But yes, he should be. He’s been one of the league’s faces for 20 years. There’s no scenario in which LeBron isn’t an All-Star this year.
— Draymond Green
If the league made exceptions for Wade and Nowitzki, Green argues, James deserves the same recognition for his historic impact on basketball worldwide.
Read also: Michael Jordan Takes Aim at LeBron James and Modern NBA Stars in Exclusive Interview