<P> The National Basketball Association (NBA) All - Star Game is an annual exhibition basketball game played between the Eastern - Conference and the Western - Conference All - Stars . It is the main event of the NBA All - Star Weekend . Twelve players--five starters and seven reserves--from each conference are chosen from a pool of 120 players--60 players from each conference with 24 guards and 24 frontcourts (forwards and centers)--listed on the ballots by a panel of sport writers and broadcasters . The starters are chosen by a combination of fans, media, and current players . Fans may vote using a variety of online platforms, and account for 50% of the vote, with the media and current players each accounting for 25% . The reserves are chosen by voting among the head coaches of each team's particular conference . Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players, and can select two guards, three big men, and two players regardless of positions . If a player is unable to participate due to injury, the NBA commissioner will select a replacement . The 1999 All - Star Game was canceled due to the league's lockout . </P> <P> The following is a list of NBA All - Stars, players who have been selected for the NBA All - Star Game at least once in their career . Note that the number indicates the player's number of selections--not the number of games played . For instance, Michael Jordan was named to the All - Star Game roster 14 times, but missed the 1986 game due to injury . As of the 2017 All - Star Game, 411 players have been selected to an All - Star Game roster at least once . However, only 283 of them have earned multiple selections to the game . </P> <P> Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul - Jabbar holds the record for most All - Star Game selections and most All - Star Games played . He was selected 19 times and played in 18 All - Star games . Dirk Nowitzki and LeBron James both hold the record for most All - Star Game selections among active players, with 13 selections . Bob Cousy, John Havlicek, and LeBron James are tied for the most consecutive games actually played, appearing in 13 straight All - Star Games . Tim Duncan also played in 13 straight All - Star Games if the lockout - cancelled 1999 game is excluded . Several players were named to All - Star Game rosters, but never actually played in the game due to injury . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> #</Td> <Td> The number of times the player have been selected to play in the All - Star Game </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> Denotes player who is still active as of the 2017--18 season </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> * </Td> <Td> Elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as player </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> † </Td> <Td> Not yet eligible for Hall of Fame consideration </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> § </Td> <Td> 1st time eligible for Hall of Fame in 2017 </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Who played the most nba all star games