Enlarge image
Even at the age of 38, LeBron James is still one of the top players in the NBA
Photo: Mark J. Terrill / dpa
NBA superstar LeBron James has been named to the league's all-star team for the 19th time, tying a record set by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
James is expected to match and surpass Abdul-Jabbar's points record in the world's top basketball league by Allstar Weekend on February 19 - and be honored accordingly in Salt Lake City.
NBA boss Adam Silver recently said that this could be "the perfect opportunity".
Going into the Los Angeles Lakers' next game against the Boston Celtics, James is 157 points behind Abdul-Jabbar's 38,387 points.
Captains James and Antetokounmpo
In the election held with votes from fans, journalists and players, most voted for James.
Its Lakers are playing a weak season as 13th in the Western Conference, but the 38-year-old superstar himself regularly stands out with top performances.
Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece from the Milwaukee Bucks got the most votes from the Eastern Conference.
The two are therefore the captains of the Allstar teams and can choose their teammates.
What is new is that this only happens immediately before the game.
Also included in the starting lineup were Serbian Nikola Jokić from the Denver Nuggets, Slovenian Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks, Australian Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets and his teammate Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum from the Boston Celtics and Stephen Curry from the Golden State Warriors, Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans.
All other participants will be selected by the NBA coaches and announced on February 2nd.
cev/dpa