"Using a Podcast to become a hater is diabolical" - NBA Fans Slam Kevin Garnett for Urging Voters to Snub LeBron James in All-Star Voting

Kevin Garnett, on the “KG Certified” podcast on Friday, urged voters to “save your vote” and keep LeBron James out of the 2026 All-Star Game. According to the Hall of Fame, the four-time MVP no longer wants to play in the annual event, so fans might as well use their votes on other players.

Fans reacted to Garnett’s hot take:

"Using a Podcast to become a hater is diabolical."

Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.

One fan said:

Another fan added:

One more fan continued:

Another fan reacted:

LeBron James, considered by Kevin Garnett as his "GOAT," played 36 minutes during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game. Since then, he has made the highly anticipated game part of his load management. In 2023, he suited up for 14:23 minutes and just eight minutes the following year. He sat out in 2025 due to foot/ankle discomfort.

James, though, is an undeniable fan favorite, having been voted to the starting lineup a record 21 times. He led All-Star voting 10 times, also a league record. James played 20 straight games as a starter before watching from the sidelines in 2025.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer missed the LA Lakers’ first 14 games this season due to a nerve injury. LA has already held him out a couple of times for load management. Kevin Garnett is worried the trend will continue in the All-Star game, a reason he’s asking fans to refrain from voting James to the event.

---

Kevin Garnett wants Austin Reaves making All-Star Game over LeBron James

Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett’s former Boston Celtics teammate and co-host, doesn’t see the Lakers getting three players to the All-Star game. Pierce expressed confidence that LeBron James would be voted in as a starter again, along with Luka Doncic.

Garnett said that Austin Reaves does not have a “definite” chance of making the team, but the Hall of Famer thought AR deserves a spot. Because of some uncertainty about Reaves’ ASG appearance, he urged fans to keep voting for James, who he predicted wouldn’t even want to play.

Once somebody mentioned that the All-Star game would be at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce simultaneously laughed. They quickly changed their prediction, saying LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves would all make it.

The LA Clippers will host the event, but Garnett and Pierce agreed none from the team would make the All-Star game.

Edited by Michael Macasero