LeBron James gets honest on emotional reality of 22nd NBA All-Star selection

LeBron James has been an NBA All-Star 22 times. That number is so big now that it almost doesn't register the way it should.

He entered the league as a teenager straight out of Akron, Ohio, and the basketball world has basically revolved around him ever since. The selections kept coming year after year, across different teams, different eras and different versions of the league.

LeBron James is appreciative of All-Star appearances

Now at 41, he's the oldest active player in the NBA and still getting the nod. On the "Mind the Game" podcast, James opened up about what racking up 22 All-Star appearances actually means to him, and he brought up something that puts the number in a different light.

"Humbling, and it's a blessing. Obviously, it was never a goal of mine to be, '22 All-Star appearance,' like, I definitely wanted to be in the All-Star Game growing up," James said. "I just watch the guys play, and, watch MJ and Penny, Grant Hill, and so many greats. When I was growing up, AI, all those guys, Kobe, all those guys, play, and it looked like so much fun. And that was, like, the biggest stage. Now I'm that guy, seeing new All Stars first year, All Stars coming in this year, and for me to still be here.

"There's also the nostalgic side, too, and the humbleness, and, the childhood that comes out of me, like, 'Wow, bro, you're an All Star again.' You remember those times when you were, like I said, when I was watching it when I was a teenager, when I was a kid, and, just seeing the greats, and seeing the lights, and wanting to be a part of that moment."