Technically, the last time LeBron James missed the All-Star Game was ... last year, when he couldn't play because of injury. The last time he wasn't on the team? 2004, in his rookie season.
But that streak is in jeopardy. James, who has only played 14 games this season, is way behind in the first round of fan voting, released Monday by the NBA. If he can't make an electoral comeback, he'd have to find an alternate way onto the team, and given his (by his standards) relatively modest output to this point in the season, there's certainly no guarantee he'd be added to it as an at-large guy. Obviously there's still time between now and when the teams are finalized, but currently it's reasonable to believe James is on the outside looking in.
Which is weird. On the other hand, he's turning 41 on Tuesday, and the idea you're having any sort of conversation about this for a guy this old is pretty amazing, but the "Yes or no?" question is relevant for more than just history. The Lakers need All-Star LeBron, especially while Austin Reaves is on the sidelines. The Lakers need to figure out how they're going to maximize LBJ while at the same time keeping him on the floor and performing.
Meanwhile, against the Pistons Tuesday night, the Lakers should have Jaxson Hayes back in the lineup, but could be missing Rui Hachimura, who sat out practice on Monday. But regardless of who plays, the Lakers will need to find a way to build on the better level of play they produced against the Kings on Sunday. Who are the guys who step up after Luka Dončić and LeBron?
Finally, JJ Redick had some revealing comments at practice Monday about the composition of the Lakers' roster.
HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky
SEGMENT 1: LeBron is turning 41.
SEGMENT 2: An All-Star Game without LeBron?
SEGMENT 3: An interesting comment about skill sets from JJ Redick.
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