The upcoming NBA All-Stars 2025 game is going to be LeBron James‘ 21st appearance in 22 years of playing in the NBA. His introduction isn’t needed no matter what sport you follow. Representing the Shaq’s OGs led by none other than Shaquille O’Neal, he partners other greats from his time, which include with the likes Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. And the fact that they’re facing people like Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, you wouldn’t want to miss this one. But the biggest news of the night has been the King’s missed appearence in San Francisco.

The game is set to happen on February 16th, and it’s taking place at the Chase Center, home of the Warriors. For someone like Steph Curry, he’s used to the rumbling of the Chase’s hardwood. The King is his teammate at Shaq’s OGs, but he will not be available for the NBA All-Star Practice and Media Day like the rest of the honorees. Despite the NBA having a talk with the players about keeping the intensity and competition of the match at the highest level possible, it seems like we’ll see Bron for the first time during his pregame media availability on Sunday.

ESPN reported that the Lakers forward is set to follow a tradition he’s had for all his previous few all-star games, and come after the rest of the gang. “That’s been his custom the last few years, to maximise the breaks as much as he can.” To be honest, his career dignifies coming a few hours late to a game he knows he’ll dominate. But like all great kings, he knows when to take it easy and consider his time and body capabilities. He’s not the same 23-year-old we grew up watching. One of the OGs group leaders, he’ll know how to lead his team from the front- this is his 22nd time after all.

This might sound like bad news for the Broniacs out there, but he’s been there done that multiple times before. This is his way of showing that he still rules the land, no matter when he shows up to work.

James has talked about retirement before

The King will be 41 by the turn of this year, and it isn’t something to be taken lightly. He’ still consistently one of the best in the league- and it’s only due to the fact that he spends $1.5 million a year to pay for personal chefs, athletic trainers, and physical therapies for recovery. But even he understands the need to step down soon to give the new generation a chance to sit at the throne.

“It won’t be because I can’t play this game at a high level. To be honest, if I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level for another five to seven years if I wanted to, but I’m not going to do that,” said James. I’m sure the newbies in the league now know their place- there’s a reason he’s 40 and still averaging 24.3 points,  7.7 assists and 9 rebounds per game this season.

In his career, he’s won 4 NBA championships, 4 MVPs, 3 All-Star MVPs, and leads the all time charts with 38,450 points in 22 seasons and running. Despite all this, he’s still had one of those careers in which the numbers don’t speak for themselves- and it’s safe to say that there won’t be anyone like him.

People on social media are talking about him having the ‘right’ to miss the training- and they’re right (no pun intended). James is the NBA. The NBA is James. He’s set aside nearly every record holder and put his name on top of the list. We sure will be missing him when he hangs up the sneakers- he’s just trying to prolong that suffering for as long as possible, both of us and for himself.