Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James shocked the basketball world right before Sunday's highly anticipated NBA All-Star Game. This is after the NBA's all-time leading scorer announced before tip-off that he would not be taking part in the game due to multiple injuries.

With the NBA All-Star Game's new format of a four-team tournament drawing a lot of pushback, one player not participating may have infuriated fans more than the actual product on the court. Just hours before the start of the tournament,

Star weekend in his regular attire, some fans were rightfully bothered by the fact that James waited until the last minute to announce he wasn’t playing in the All-Star Game. Considering the fact that he could have made this decision a little earlier and allowed for a Norman Powell or Domantas Sabonis to take his place in the game,

For the first time since 2004, LeBron James did not play in the NBA All-Star Game Sunday night.A Western Conference All-Star selection, James was set to play for Team Shaq's OGs, the team that won the inaugural round-robin tournament at the annual midseason event.

Carmelo Anthony, one of LeBron James' closest friends, has a strong opinion on James opting to not play in this year's NBA All-Star Game.

Star Game left fans largely disappointed after the new format turned out to be a huge bust, with everyone from Stephen A. Smith to the casual basketball viewer ripping the uninspiring four-team tournament.

The NBA All-Star games have been trending in recent days due to multiple suggestions from players about the format. Even former NBA player Chandler Parsons had some words, but directed towards LeBron James.

Former Vol Dalton Knecht scored 19 points for the Lakers. He out-scored teammate LeBron James. James finished the contest with 17 points in 36 minutes. Knecht converted 7-of-10 field goal attempts and 5-of-8 three-point attempts.