The biggest stars from the starriest teams tend to make it to the honorary NBA All-Star Game more often than not—the word is right there in the title of the game.
Each year, especially with fans having their hands in the voting, players make the team that so-called experts and insiders scoff at, wondering how in the heck did player so-and-so make the All-Star Game over someone more deserving? In the long run, though, that all shakes out, and more often than not, the players who earn the honor of All-Star are the ones we look back at in time and see as most deserving. It’s hard to luck your way into the game over and over.
As we take a look at the list of player’s with the most All-Star appearances over the history of the NBA, the leaders definitely have a team in common, one based in La La Land, the land of stars and city of angels. From there, the biggest names, and those that were more often on the biggest stage in the NBA Finals and winning championships fill up the rest of the list.
Let’s have a look then at the most NBA All-Star appearances over the history of the league, then take a look at those who are still active to fill in another top 10.
The top-10 all time actually ends up a short number list with a lot of names tying for the same amount of appearances as of now. The top spot is almost definitely going to stop being a tie by this time next year.
TOP-10 ALL TIME
7. (TIE) Karl Malone—14
Malone may have never won an NBA championship, but his scoring ability and longevity had him in the annual (near) midseason classic each year. After playing nearly his whole career with the Utah Jazz, Malone played for the Los Angeles Lakers during the twilight of his career in a failed attempt to team-up with other stars to win that elusive title. In fact, five more players on this list will have played for the Lakers at some point.
7. (TIE) Dirk Nowitzki—14
A living legend in Dallas, Nowitzki is one of the rare players who stayed with one team his entire career. The big German came up short of a championship once only to stick it out with the Mavericks and earn his way back to the big stage again to secure an NBA title for himself and the only one for Dallas to date.
7. (TIE) Jerry West—14
Known as The Logo because his silhouette is still the NBA’s iconic logo, West played his entire career for the Lakers, and, impressively, he was named an All-Star in every single one of his 14 years playing in the NBA.
7. (TIE) Michael Jordan—14
One of the only players who seems to have his legendary status continue to grow long after he retired, the man known widely as the NBA’s GOAT (greatest of all time) most likely could have been closer to the top of this list if he had just played more seasons overall. The only time he didn’t make the All-Star Game during his 15-year career was simply because it was the season he returned to basketball from a stint playing minor league baseball, and the game had already happened. Even in his diminished form playing for the Washington Wizards, Jordan easily made the All-Star Game. He is still the NBA leader in points per game with his staggering average of 30.1 throughout his career.
4. (TIE) Tim Duncan—15
Duncan’s status as one of basketball’s greats is well-known by his colleagues and devotees of the game. By playing his entire career for the San Antonio Spurs, the full glow of the spotlight never really shined on Duncan, and he seemed to be just fine with that. Duncan led the Spurs to the NBA Finals six times, with five championship victories during that stretch.
4. (TIE) Kevin Garnett—15
Often compared with Duncan because they both were highly-skilled power forwards, the two could not have been more dissimilar in manner and demeanor. Garnett was very vocal and actually attracted a lot of attention during his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves. After a lengthy career there, he left to play for Boston in pursuit of an NBA title. Garnett and the Celtics were able to win that one championship in 2008, and he and his former teammates have not stopped talking about how many more they woulda-coulda-shoulda won if only this and that. A legend in his own right.
4. (TIE) Shaquille O’Neal—15
Another giant personality, O’Neal can be seen just about anywhere these days hawking all sorts of products and making all sorts of absurd statements. He played for several teams during his time but is probably best known for his time on the Lakers, although he did garner some success and big wins with the Miami Heat as well. Some folks love his act on TV these days, and he certainly is pretty clever when it comes to knowing how to stay relevant.
3. Kobe Bryant—18
Bryant made the All-Star Game every year of his playing days except for two seasons. Another on our list that played his whole career for the same team, Bryant has a foothold on much of the younger generation of stars as they cite him as an inspiration (in spite of some illicit acts that landed him in court). The All-Star Game MVP trophy is named in Bryant’s honor, and the Elam Ending that is now employed to decide the winner in the game also features a tribute to Bryant, as the score, 24, that is added to become the target is a nod to his jersey number.
1. (TIE) LeBron James—19
After missing out on the All-Star Game his first season as a 19-year-old rookie, James has made it to the honorary classic in each year since. With plenty of notoriety, James has taken his talents to a few different teams and cities now in pursuit of bigger fame and championships, which he has accrued as a member of the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers. Just this year, James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the all-time NBA record for points scored. Most likely next year, he’ll make his 20th All-Star Game appearance, rising to take sole ownership of that record, too.
1. (TIE) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar—19
If Kareem had played in the era of video at the tip of your fingers and Twitter debates raging all around, he would be one of the most celebrated athletes of all time. Still, he is widely known as one of the greatest, but there was a long stretch where nobody could really hold a candle Kareem as a player on the court. His signature shot, the skyhook, still stands as one of the most iconic and nearly impossible to replicate shots of all time. He made the All-Star Game every year except for the1977-78 season when he missed a couple months because of injury.
TOP-10 CURRENT
10. (TIE) Damian Lillard—7
With a sweet shot that looks like it will age well, Lillard could keep climbing up this list, especially as a fan-favorite playing solely for the Portland Trailblazers. Plus, he just won the three-point contest this year.
10. (TIE) Giannis Antetokounmpo—7
No doubt about it, Giannis will continue to accrue All-Star appearances. As arguably the best player in the game, the 28 year old should get another 8-10 games under his belt, which could put him in the all-time top five.
7. (TIE) Anthony Davis—8
Davis has had a hard time staying healthy, which could mean his appearances in the All-Star Game will start to dwindle. Even this year, there was debate if injuries would keep him off the roster even though he’s having a stellar season. When healthy and dedicated, he is one of the best.
7. (TIE) Kyrie Irving—8
It seems that no matter what Irving does off the court, he maintains legions of fans and a huge following inside the game as well.
7. (TIE) Paul George—8
George, like Davis, has an injury history that keeps him from going further up this list. Winning a championship with the Los Angeles Clippers this season, though, would go a long way to boosting his popularity even more.
5. (TIE) Russell Westbrook—9
At one time a mainstay in the annual game, it’s looking like we may have seen Westbrook’s last All-Star appearance.
5. (TIE) Stephen Curry—9
As long as Curry plays, he’ll be in the game as he is quite possibly the most popular player in the world. Even though he’s already 34 years old, Curry could be here another eight times if he decides to keep playing. A slow, injury-filled start to his career kept him from having more appearances.
4. James Harden—10
Harden had made the All-Star Game 10 years in a row prior to being left out of the game this year. That’s a bit strange because his stats were enough to warrant selection this year. He was left out, it seems, partly because fans and even colleagues don’t like Harden and/or his on-court aesthetic.
3. Chris Paul—12
Paul also seemed like he’d be in the game every year until he retired, but his abilities have definitely fallen off this season, and he was deservedly left off the team. Still, his suggesting to have the game take on the Elam Ending will leave a lasting legacy.
2. Kevin Durant—13
Durant would be on a streak of 14-straight All-Star appearances had he not missed all of the 2019-20 season with an Achilles tendon injury. Since his return, he’s made the last three games, although injuries have kept him from actually playing in the game. Now a member of the Phoenix Suns following a gigantic trade earlier this month, Durant will almost definitely be back in the ASG again next year.
1. LeBron James—19
The only current player to make both lists, LeBron is still a force to be reckoned with and is keeping the league on notice as long as he’s suiting up.
