Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors, Steve Kerr, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
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Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors hugs LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers after their game at Chase Center on October 07, 2023 in San Francisco, California.
Beloved Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is in jeopardy of missing the first All-Star Game since his rookie season after 21 consecutive years. The early returns for the first batch of All-Star votes see James currently in ninth place among all Western Conference players. Positions no longer matter in All-Star voting to make it even harder for LeBron to advance to the top five starters.
Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green used his podcast to make a demand that the NBA find a way to add James if he doesn’t get voted in:
“Does he get voted in from the coaches as a reserve? And I don’t know, he’s only played 14 games. I don’t know how they’re looking at this or what they’ll do. But what I know is they better make sure he is — like, it’s LeBron James, and he’s who he is to this league.
He started the year off hurt, but I don’t know. Like, I don’t know the right answer other than figure it out.”
Green has become an unexpected vocal supporter of James for many years and often goes out of his way to speak on behalf of his former enemy. The claim from Draymond here is that the NBA must find a way to ensure that LeBron makes the All-Star Game, regardless of whether fans and coaches vote him in or not.
Is Draymond Green Right About LeBron?
Green’s belief is that James is too important to the game and must be included in the All-Star Game. One factor in his favor is that the new concept requires peak interest from the fan base to see the international players suiting up against the best American players.
Many fans are hoping to see the older legends like LeBron, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and James Harden all on the same roster as Americans. James has picked up his play over the past ten games to increase his overall stats, especially with the Lakers missing Austin Reaves.
LeBron could easily still make the team if fans start voting for him or if the coaches or players opt to show him enough respect. However, the path is harder and not confirmed. Green is pushing it by going a bit far for a season where James hasn’t given any indication he’s retiring this season.
Will The NBA Follow Draymond’s Advice?
The All-Star Game rarely sees players getting honorary selections if they don’t get voted in. LeBron may have a strong chance of being one of the injury replacements when a couple of players miss the game, like how most seasons require.
However, it remains unlikely that James will get an honorary selection by Adam Silver just for the sake of it. Silver did add Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade to the All-Star teams in their retirement seasons, but it was part of fans celebrating them all season.
Lebron would have to acknowledge and announce this is his final season for the NBA to just add him. The traditional voting methods or getting selected as an eventual injury replacement are James’ only path to the All-Star Game, despite how much Draymond complains about it.