With his 20th All-Star selection, Lakers star LeBron James has made NBA history

LeBron James became the first player to be picked to 20 All-Star teams Thursday night, when he was chosen for the Western Conference as part of the league’s announcement of the ten starters for next month’s All-Star Game in Indianapolis.

James, who surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most All-Star selections in NBA history, was joined in the West starting lineup by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, Dallas Mavericks wing Luka Doncic, and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

In the Eastern Conference, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo received the most votes, followed by Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, and Bucks guard Damian Lillard.

Haliburton, who represents the host Pacers, and Gilgeous-Alexander make their second All-Star appearance and first start.

James, who is in his 21st NBA season, continues to defy Father Time, averaging 24.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 7.4 assists for the Los Angeles Lakers, breaking Abdul-Jabbar’s record only a little less than a year after exceeding his once thought unbreakable career scoring mark.

“Congratulations to him, guy. “He’s a victim of his own work and success,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham stated prior to Thursday night’s game against the Chicago Bulls. “That’s insane. I was thinking to myself, ‘Damn, he’ll never enjoy an All-Star Weekend free of commitments.’ And to do it for 21 years is like, holy, dude. Like, oof. But that is his work. He put in the work. He’s maintained that consistency and durability. And I am thrilled for him.”

Meanwhile, Durant will be making his 14th All-Star appearance, Antetokounmpo and Lillard’s eighth, Embiid’s seventh, Jokic’s sixth, and Doncic and Tatum’s fifth.

The NBA will revert to its classic East vs West format for this year’s game, which will be contested on February 18. The league stated earlier this season that it would eliminate the captains arrangement, which allowed the top vote-getter in each conference to choose their respective teams.

The NBA’s head coaches will vote on the reserve picks for each conference, which will be announced on TNT on February 1.