The National Basketball Association’s (NBA) unveiling of its All-Star reserves is usually greeted with equal parts approval and outrage, but this year’s announcement seems to have an even sharper edge. Besides, it brings up a neat topic: LeBron James, now deep into his 21st yearSt season, has been chosen to grace the annual spectacle of 22 record breaking recordsn.d consecutive time. The coaches voted him as a reserve, which is as much an acknowledgment as any of his continued value. Even in a season where the Lakers have gone disproportionately well, he remains central to how games are structured and discussed. Conventional wisdom may have dictated his inclusion as inevitable, but it cannot be discounted how it increased the rift between fans influenced by ideological bias either way.
That emphasis is added to the context. This year’s All-Star Game, which will be held at the Intuit Dome, will ditch the traditional East-West divide for a compact, tournament-style format that highlights three teams, short games, and the promise of urgency. Whether the league’s latest attempt to inject meaning into a show that has grown symbolic will be successful remains to be seen. That said, there is no small amount of irony in seeing the NBA play in a more competitive format as the process of choosing who will participate remains stubbornly sequential.
Not that the roster (a veritable Who’s Who of hoops stars) is irresistible. Kevin Durant, still at his best when healthy, earned his 16thth The All-Star nods. Young stars like Anthony Edwards and Jamal Murray have been rewarded for bolstering winning teams, while rookies like Chet Holmgren have shown the league’s gradual elimination. In the East, Donovan Mitchell and Pascal Siakam continued to be consistent presences, and the selection of Scottie Barnes ensured a steady transition from promising talent to franchise mainstay. Taken individually, the choice passes the eye test. And overall, they show a healthy balance between respecting the present and protecting their acquaintances.
Nevertheless, the omission has dominated the post-announcement discussion. The absence of Kawhi Leonard is very strange, not only because he would have been a suitable representative of the hosts. While he’s in the midst of one of the most prolific scoring seasons of his career, he’s built an offense based on cold, hard facts. His exclusion underscores how missing narratives, allegations of burden management, and residual doubt can dampen real impact on the court.
Which brings the discussion back to James, whose selection, to be fair, is both appropriate and instructive. It ensures that longevity at the highest level of sport is a good practice in itself. However, it also shines a light on the question the team grapples with every February: Is being named to the All-Star Game a reward for achievements this season or a long career? This year’s East and West rosters are top notch. And it may be what keeps the All-Star debate alive, unsettled, and revealing all at once.
Anthony L. Cuaycong was writing The court since BusinessWorld launched the Sports category in 1994. He is a consultant in strategic planning, operations and human resources management, business communication, and business development.
