The NBA All-Star Weekend is underway, and the previous rookie game, skill challenge, three-point contest and dunk contest have come to an end. But then, it's the real highlight, the All-Star Game, which brings together the world's top stars, is about to start. Before the start of the All-Star Game, the official also continued the tradition and took an all-star group photo. James has been holding the ball in the C position for 18 consecutive years, and he can really be regarded as a "ball bully", as long as he does not retire, he will always be the face of the NBA.
Every year, there will be a group photo of the East and West All-Stars, and the position is of course very particular, and those in the C position must be big-name stars. Not only that, there is only one basketball, and it will only be held by the league bigwigs. Just like Jordan, Kobe and others in the past, they are the existence of sitting in the C position with the ball. James, in the early days, also did not have this qualification. The first time James took the ball to sit in the C position was in 2007, when he was the All-Star ticket king, and his popularity and strength were already at the top, and he successfully sat in the C position.
After that, James began to show dominance. In 08, he won the scoring title, sat in the C position with the ball, and had Wade and Kidd by his side. won the MVP in 09, Iverson and Wade were next to him. won the MVP for 10 consecutive years and continued to occupy the C position, surrounded by Rondo, Pierce and Rose in addition to Wade. It can be said that it is the C position of iron, and the superstar of flowing water next to it.
After joining the Heat, whether standing or sitting, James was in the middle. In the past few years, Anthony, Wade, Howard and Rose have also been in the C position, and they are indeed the biggest superstars at that time, but the basketball is always in the hands of James.
After the Heat won the championship, James was the first person to be proper, and the All-Star routine has not changed, Lao Zhan is still sitting in the middle with a basketball, George, Irving, and DeRozan have emerged in this period, and the times are constantly changing.
After returning to the Cavaliers, James entered the Finals for four consecutive years and completed an epic comeback in 16 years. At that time, James was still recognized as the first person in the league. Whether it is influence or popularity, it is the strongest in the alliance. So he continued to sit in the C position with the ball, the four heroes were there, Butler also counterattacked, and Pau Gasol came to the East.
Even after joining the Lakers, that hasn't changed. Lao Zhan is always in the center, and the basketball is always in his hands. Even superstars like Curry, Paul, and Jokic can only stand on the sidelines.
The picture below is today's all-star group photo, Lao Zhan's team is definitely full, Jokic, Curry, Doncic, Durant, Leonard, all of them are superstars who have proven themselves. But Lao Zhan is still in the middle, and the basketball is also at his feet. I have to say that such an influence is unparalleled.