If LeBron James appears in enough games by the All-Star break, he will likely get voted into the game. The fans will vote for him, and his peers probably will, too. Luka Doncic will get in, too. But LA getting three All-Stars seems unlikely, which means James’ presence could ruin Austin Reaves’ first potential All-Star appearance.
Perhaps the Lakers will just get three guys in the game. That would solve all the problems. Or maybe James won’t play in enough games to warrant a selection. That would also make things easier. But with how stacked the Western Conference is, if James and Doncic get in, Reaves could end up getting snubbed.
And that [would be _very_ awkward](https://lakeshowlife.com/austin-reaves-about-learn-painful-lebron-lesson-kyrie-knows-all-too-well-lakers-luka).
**Could LeBron James negate Austin Reaves’ first All-Star appearance?**
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The voting for All-Star starters, at least traditionally, is done via a combination of fan voting, player voting, and media voting. If that’s once again the case, James will be a shoo-in.
He dominates the fan voting every year, even when he doesn’t play, and it seems unlikely that would change this season, especially in his historic 23rd season.
But there’s a real chance he may not actually _deserve_ a place in the All-Star game based on his statistical output, especially with how well Doncic and Reaves have been playing this year.
Doncic has been his usual, dominant self, and Reaves has enjoyed a breakout season with LA, leading them to some improbable wins even when his star teammates have been out.
LA is a top team in the West, but they aren’t _the_ top team. Getting three All-Stars would be a wild outcome, considering they are just hovering around the four seed.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren will make it. If healthy, so will Victor Wembanyama. Nikola Jokic is an obvious pick, as are Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, and Alperen Sengun. Kevin Durant and James Harden will probably get the nod, too.
That leaves three spots left, and it doesn’t account for Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Deni Avdija, Aaron Gordon, Jaren Jackson Jr., or Amen Thompson.
All of those players have an argument to make the All-Star game. Edwards seems like a no-brainer, and the rest have been having All-Star-worthy seasons or have been an All-Star before. (Or both.)
Doncic is going to make the All-Star team, and the Lakers getting two in the game makes plenty of sense. But Reaves has put up the numbers to earn a spot. James just might take the spot.