LeBron James was supposed to get the Kobe Bryant treatment when it comes to the All-Star Game. Instead, the Los Angeles Lakers forward may be realizing the NBA and its fans do not love him as much as expected. The fan vote is not treating the all-time great too kindly.
The NBA released the first fan returns in NBA All-Star voting on Monday. Shockingly, James was all the way down at ninth among the Western Conference alone. LeBron only received 536, 555 votes. That is less than the likes of Deni Avdija.
Don't get me wrong, the production is not All-Star caliber. But LBJ should have a spot on lock due to fan vote, and he just, kind of doesn't?
— Svyatoslav Rovenchuk (@JJBuckets17) December 29, 2025
The conversation about James and the All-Star Game was much different just a couple of weeks ago. It was fair to predict that his incredible legacy and all-time great status would earn him a spot at the festivities. The discussion was who would get snubbed to give a legendary player his honors.
Now, the talking points will quickly shift to whether LeBron fans will respond accordingly to the underwhelming start in voting results. Will James' 20-plus year streak of being named an All-Star really come to an end?
LeBron James' All-Star spot is under serious threat for the first time in decades
James has been in the NBA for 23 seasons, with 2025-26 being his 23rd. LeBron has been an All-Star in the league for almost the totality of his career.
2003-04, James' rookie year, that was the last time the NBA's all-time leading scorer did not at least get named among those select few. Is this really it for LeBron?
James' production has not quite been All-Star caliber. That much is hard to deny. It has even raised legitimate questions about his future with the Lakers.
Thus far in 2025-26, LeBron has averaged 20.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.0 steal per game. James has done that while posting shooting splits of 51-32-67.
That is short of the usual expectations from the four-time MVP. There is no arguing with that. It is equally understandable to believe the Lakers still have a lot to figure out with how James best supports the team this season. That process has turned in lackluster marks like his -4.3 net rating.
Even so, there was always a belief that his production would be less than up to par in the lead-up. The idea was his status as a beloved figure in NBA history would overcome that. Instead, the matter has shifted to wondering just how much weight James' legacy carries.