Getting into the All-Star game is no simple feat. For some players, it may take several seasons of high-level play to get the nod. However, other exceptional talents come into the league with so much anticipation and natural talent that getting into the All-Star game in their first season seemed like a birthright. So, how is the NBA All-Star Team selected, and what does a player have to do to qualify?

How is the NBA All-Star Selection Process Then and Now

The concept of the All-Star break was initially sparked by the slow growth of basketball in the US during the NBA’s early years. The league was struggling to gain viewership when the idea of an All-Star break was pitched to league executives by then NBA publicity head Haskell Cohen.

After some negotiations, the first All-Star game came into fruition in 1951 in Boston. Over time, it’s become a centerpiece tradition in the heart of the season, where the game’s brightest stars from across the league get to take center stage together in a lighthearted but highly competitive exhibition game.

All-Star Selection Process Then:

For a tradition that’s already over 70 years old, there are bound to be some changes to the format and player selection process. Here are some of the most significant changes:

1951: In its earliest iterations, the first 8 All-Star slots were voted on by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters selected by the NBA. Coaches filled up the rest of the roster with their preferences.

1973: With talent increasingly concentrated in just a few teams, such as the Celtics and the Lakers, the NBA has imposed a limit of only up to three All-Star slots per team.

1974: The league began considering fan votes in the All-Star selection process by using it to determine the starters. Coaches then had their pickings on who they wanted as All-Star reserves.

2012: With positionless basketball gaining traction, the NBA decided to simplify the process. Instead of voting by the traditional five-position basketball, the votes are only categorized by two distinct positions: frontcourt and backcourt.

2016: The NBA started to take current players’ opinions on All-Star selection as well as the media and coaches. The results are tallied at the end of the voting period, and the players with the most votes in their respective positions (frontcourt or backcourt) make the cut for the starters.

All-Star Selection Process Now:

Due to dwindling interest, the NBA All-Star Team selection process underwent an overhaul in 2018. Instead of the traditional East vs West format, the league introduced a new system.

It still follows the same voting format as in 2016: Fan votes count for 50%, while player and media votes count for the other 50%. However, instead of the starters from each conference playing together, the league now designates two NBA All-Star team captains. These captains are the players (one from each conference) who received the most fan votes.

These captains then draft their respective teams from the pool of starters and reserves, no longer limited by conference. The coaches select the reserves for the All-Star Game. Each coach votes for seven players within their conference: two guards, three frontcourt players, and two additional players, regardless of their position.

The All-Star selection resembles a fantasy draft in this format – a concept fans and the entire basketball community can definitely relate to.

How Many Players Make the NBA All-Star Team?

For players, making the All-Star team selection isn’t just about getting another accolade. It’s more of a stamp of approval from the entire basketball community that their hard work isn’t going unnoticed.

So, the 24 slots available at each All-Star Game will always be coveted by almost all 450 active players eligible for selection. In some cases, incentives are even inserted in contracts to ensure players are motivated to make the All-Star team. For example, Jaylen Brown of the Celtics earned $1.5 million more in 2023-2024 for making the cut.

Who Votes for the NBA All-Star Team?

In its early years, media votes were the only ones that mattered in the All-Star Game Selection process. However, over the years, evolving perspectives on the All-Star Game and technological advancement have allowed the NBA to bring on fan and player categories as well. Each category is given its individual weights in the tally by their priority in the NBA All-Star festivities.

Fan Vote

The NBA makes no secret that fans are the most important group as they’re appropriated 50% of the weight of the vote. This large percentage is only appropriate as the NBA puts on the All-Star weekend as a tribute to fans.

Media Vote

The media, on the other hand, is given 25% of the voting rights. They represent an expansive group of professionals tasked with covering the NBA in-depth. Therefore, they’re expected to provide an informed and objective point of view to the All-Star selection process.

Player Vote

The NBA also ascribes 25% of the voting weight to players. Specifically, for the player voting process, NBA players decide who should make the All-Star team. Every NBA player receives one vote, and they cannot vote for themselves or their teammates. Player votes help bring player recognition into the mix as it leverages the firsthand insight of the players competing against each other on the court.

These changes were implemented to incorporate a broader range of perspectives into the voting process and to encourage the selection of players based on performance and merit, not just popularity.

Wrapping Things Up: How is the NBA All-Star Team Selected?

The constant shakeup to the NBA All-Star Game can be difficult to keep track of, even if you’re a fan of the game. However, understanding how the teams are selected can help you appreciate the process and the players who make it to the All-Star Game each year.

It should also help you understand trends in the game and how they impact the selection process. Integrating fan votes in 1974, for example, showed just how valuable fans are to the league, while the abolition of the traditional positions showed just how impactful positionless basketball has become in the modern era.

So, is your favorite player going to make the ballot this season?

We hope you enjoyed this post! If you did, be sure to check out our other basketball FAQ articles here.

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