In 11 All Star seasons, LeBron James has an All Star career as decorated as his NBA career.
He did let one moment slip through the cracks when in 2009, he declared his early entry to the 2010 Slam Dunk Competition to the delight of everyone only to eventually disappoint as he eluded the dunk contest once again. But other than that, The King has shone as bright as ever in the league’s mid-season spectacle.
LeBron has 2 All Star Game MVPs (2006 and 2008) and was the top vote getter in 2007, 2010, and 2014. He also owns the second highest single season All Star votes (2,940,823 in 2009) behind Dwight Howard and to top it all off, James is number three all-time in most All Star Game votes amassed behind Shaquille O`Neal (Second) and Kobe Bryant (First).
Before we enter yet another exciting All Star game, here are five of the most stellar performances from LeBron James during All Star Weekend, starting with number five:
5. 2004 Rookie Challenge in Los Angeles
LeBron James` first appearance in the All Star festivities. He teamed up with Carmelo Anthony against an Amare Stoudemire-led Sophomore team who annihilated the Rookie team, 142-118. LeBron showed us a glimpse into the future by notching 33 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals, not to mention a whole lot highlight-worthy dunks.
4. 2012 All Star Game in Orlando
This was LeBron James` highest scoring output in any All Star event and Kevin Durant probably had something to do with that as he put up a strong showing against LeBron in a matchup for the ages. Both scored 36 points with LeBron adding in 6 rebounds and 7 assists as he engineered a big comeback by the East only to fall short in the end, 149-152.
3. 2011 All Star Game in Los Angeles
This was a Kobe-LeBron matchup to which Kobe eventually won, 143-148. But James still managed to score a rare triple double in the All Star Game with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. LeBron James` full range of skills were in display and his teammates were more than happy to take dimes from The King.
2. 2008 All Star Game in New Orleans
LeBron James narrowly missed another triple double, but his 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists were enough to warrant an MVP award. He also did damage on the other end of the floor with a couple of steals and blocks as James carried his team to a 134-129 victory over the West in The Big Easy.
1. 2006 All Star Game in Houston
At only 21 years and 51 days old, LeBron James became the youngest player to win an All Star Game MVP award when he led the East to a 122-120 victory against the West. In a historical performance, he crunched in 29 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals.