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Despite the amount of hype that is wrapped around the All-Star break and the drama leading up to it, an All-Star berth takes into account only the first half of the regular season. To put things into perspective, we are currently touching the half-way mark of the 2019-20 regular season in terms of games played, and already have on our hands the results of multiple All-Star voting returns (fan votes account for only 50 percent of the result to determine the 10 starters).
That said, the number of All-Star selections that a player that stacks up in his career is still a fairly qualitative metric of how well he performed on a week-to-week basis. In this piece, we look at five players who are currently leading the league in All-Star selections - and possibly en route to bagging more before they hang up their boots.
#5 Russell Westbrook - 8
Winning MVP hardware and averaging a triple-double for three consecutive seasons comes as a byproduct of multiple All-Star selections. And Russell Westbrook has been the go-to man for his team for quite some time now.
Before joining the Houston Rockets this past off-season, Westbrook had already bagged eight All-Star berths in his career - the last five coming in a row - while playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. His explosive athleticism coupled with precision have drawn plenty of accolades from the experts of the game throughout the past decade.
Currently playing his 12th season in the league, Westbrook boasts career averages of 23 points, 7 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game.
Moreover, the recently released second fan returns of NBA All-Star Voting revealed that he got a total 581,500 votes, making him a lock for the 69th All-Star game to be held in Chicago this February.
#4 Chris Paul - 9
Chris Paul has been the gold standard of NBA point guards since time immemorial. His ability to regulate traffic and make high-IQ plays under pressure are skills that can't be taught or acquired.
As a result, starting from the 2007-08 season, Paul was named an All-Star for nine straight years, averaging as high as 11.7 assists and 2.8 steals per game during that era.
Contrary to the belief that CP3's career is riding into the sunset, he has taken charge of the status quo at Oklahoma City, and has been the inevitable spark in his 15th year. The 34-year-old has become the quintessential veteran for the young OKC roster in a short span.
Although it might seem unlikely for Paul to still be considered an All-Star caliber talent, he has always been the most reliable ball handler on the court, and continues to live up to that reputation.
#3 Carmelo Anthony - 10
Carmelo Anthony's journey in the NBA has been filled with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. If one could ignore the off-court drama that surrounds this man, and concentrate on his on-court accomplishments and skills instead, there'd appear a surefire future Hall of Famer.
So far, Melo has stacked up 10 All-Star selections, eight of which came in quick succession from 2010 to 2017 - which included being the NBA scoring champion in 2013.
Playing in his 17th year, Anthony hasn't lost any love for the game, and it shows in his play. After what many thought would be a sad end to an illustrious career, Melo got a final shot in a Trail Blazers jersey, and reminded us why the league needs him.
#2 Kevin Durant - 10
As Kevin Durant works his way back from an Achilles injury, this will be the first All-Star Game since 2010 to miss his presence. Playing at his peak throughout the last decade, KD bagged two Finals MVPs (2017, 2018), a regular season MVP (2014) and six All-NBA First team nominations.
Durant has been the focal point of relentless scoring in the league ever since he stepped on to the biggest stage. His mindset to be the best scorer and defender on the court in any game he plays has resulted in a mind-boggling resume thus far.
We can only wait to witness what he has in store for us in a Brooklyn Nets uniform.
#1 LeBron James - 15
To play at the highest level and be in the conversation of the league MVP in the 17th year of your career requires superhuman work ethic and love for the game. That's what LeBron James is all about.
He has not let anything or anyone affect his workout regimes ever since he set foot on the court, and the results have been mesmerizing. With 15 All-Star selections till date (and counting) we are truly witnessing greatness unfold every single night.
LeBron is a 3-time champion, 3-time Finals MVP and 4-time regular season MVP already, and still seems to have enough left in the tank to pull through for at least two more impeccable years.
With 12 All-NBA First team nominations to his name, the league has made it clear time and again that LeBron is indispensable to the NBA landscape. He needs to stay relevant and be his best self - not just for his personal goals, but also for the greater good of the game.
