As NBA All-Star voting opens, there is talk on whether LeBron James will participate in this season’s event.
Despite the noise, James is still expected to receive enough support to make the All-Star roster with ease. His popularity has not wavered, and his name alone continues to command attention.
But popularity does not always align with intent, and that distinction is at the heart of Kevin Garnett’s recent remarks.
Speaking on his KG World Certified show, Garnett delivered a message that left little room for interpretation. He did not question LeBron‘s legacy or impact. Instead, he questioned whether James even wants to participate in the event.
“Bron does not want to play in the All-Star game. So listen, all you people out there that’s going to vote for Bron, save your vote. He didn’t play in it last year. Why would you expect him to play this year? Listen, Bron is not playing in the game,” Garnett said.
The comment was sharp, especially given James‘ status as one of the faces of the league for more than two decades.
Garnett‘s argument isn’t rooted in rivalry or criticism. It was rooted in pattern. James skipped the All-Star Game last season, and Garnett believes fans should stop assuming participation simply because of name recognition.
The reality of LeBron James at this stage
Garnett‘s comments also reflect a broader reality around James as he approaches his 41st birthday.
While former peers like Carmelo Anthony have publicly stated that LeBron can still score 30 points whenever he wants, the nightly burden has changed. James can still dominate stretches of games, but expecting him to carry the same load he did a decade ago ignores how the league and his body have evolved.
That reality was addressed more directly by Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who offered a measured and candid assessment of how James fits into today’s game.
“He is not going to be the point LeBron that he was 8 years ago. Particularly with the way defenses pick up full court, that’s just not a good use of his skill set right now,” Redick said.
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