This Sunday, Team LeBron and Team Giannis will face off against each other for the 69th NBA All-Star Game in Chicago. LeBron James has an opportunity to add to several of his All-Star Game All-Time records, many of which he ranks No. 1 in already. But there are some No. 1 spots in NBA All-Star history that James has a chance of attaining, while also having the opportunity to move up some pretty special lists.
Here are the records LeBron owns and is chasing, heading into to this year’s All-Star Weekend.
All statistics from Basketball-Reference
Games Played
When LeBron takes the court on Sunday and the game tips-off, he will have recorded his 16th All-Star Game appearance. That would move him out of a current 3-way tie with Hall of Famers Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan for No. 3 on All-Time List, moving him alone into No. 2 All-Time behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (18).
Scoring
James already owns most of the All-Time scoring records in All-Star game history. He will almost certainly add to his leads in Field Goals (150), 3-pointers (36) and points (362). James also has a rare opportunity to increase his lead among active All-Stars, among the top-five in All-Star 3-pointers made, only James Harden (29) will join LeBron in playing on Sunday. Stephen Curry (23), Kevin Durant (30), and Paul George (23), all will not play in this year’s game.
Rebounding and Defense
LeBron needs 14 rebounds to pass Tim Duncan (98) for No. 1 All-Time in defensive rebounds. Given that he probably won’t grab 14 rebounds on defense, this is going to take beyond just this year. But defensive rebounds are the only rebounds category he has a realistic chance at getting to No. 1. He needs 101 total rebounds, more than he’s accumulated in the past 15 All-Star Games, to pass Wilt Chamberlain (197) for No. 1 All-Time. James has his work cut out for him even to get into the top-five in rebounds, as he needs 40 total boards to pass Duncan for 5th on the All-Time List.
James also needs 20 steals to pass Kobe Bryant (38) for 1st on the All-Time All-Star steals list. James is currently tied for 9th with Julius Erving. His friend Chris Paul (23) has a better chance to cut into Bryant’s All-Time steals lead. If LeBron gets three steals, he will move into a 3-way tie with Allen Iverson and Magic Johnson for No. 7 All-Time.
Assists
Like the steals category, Paul remains in front of James and will have an opportunity to increase his lead on Sunday. Magic Johnson is the All-Star Game’s All-Time assist leader with 127, while Chris Paul (106) and James (88) are the only players playing in this year’s game that can realistically catch Johnson’s one day. LeBron needs just 10 assists on Sunday to pass Isiah Thomas for No. 3 All-Time. Given the way LeBron has dished assists in the regular season, he should be in for a big night.
The Unsexy
LeBron probably doesn’t want us talking about these records but they are records nonetheless. James needs two turnovers to pass Magic Johnson for the All-Time lead in turnovers, while he will almost certainly add to his All-Time marks in 3-point attempts and field goal attempts.
