LeBron James has been a consistent presence in the NBA All-Star Game for the past two decades. He missed his first game after 20 years
Since being left out as a rookie in 2004, LeBron James has earned an All Star spot every year, solidifying his legacy with continued excellence even dominating in many of those.
As for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, the ‘King’ was initially set to play for Shaq’s OGs under the league’s new format.
He was expected to take the court in the first game against the Rising Stars Challenge winners. However, a last-minute announcement, just few hours ahead of the game took fans by surprise, altering the anticipated matchup in an unexpected turn of events.
Even Shannon Sharpe calls out LeBron
LeBron James cited a sore ankle as the reason for his decision to sit out the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. At 40 years old, it’s understandable that James would prioritize staying healthy for the remainder of the season.
However, his announcement, made just few hours before the game, didn’t sit well with many fans. Among those expressing disappointment was longtime James supporter Shannon Sharpe, who didn’t hold back his criticism.
Speaking on First Take, Sharpe shared his frustration, stating, “I’m disappointed in LeBron… I think LeBron in this situation was selfish. He knew he wasn’t going to play. Instead of telling Adam Silver ‘I’m not going to play’ and allowing him to name a replacement.”
Sharpe also pointed out that James could have handled the situation differently, referencing Giannis Antetokounmpo’s approach of still showing up in team gear to support his teammates despite being unable to play. His unexpected critique caught even Stephen A. Smith off guard, leading to a surprising reaction.
“I’m just so proud of my boy Shannon Sharpe,” Smith said. “I know he got a lot in him, I didn’t know he had that in him. Selfish, LeBron, oh my lord did you bring it this morning.”
