Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe doesn't mind if he isn't voted into the 2016 NBA All-Star Game

Published Dec. 17, 2015 1:33 a.m. ET

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Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant is essentially a shoo-in to be voted into the 2016 NBA All-Star Game in Toronto this season.

As one of the game's best and most popular players ever, Bryant's global following rivals anyone not named Michael Jordan. Playing for a franchise as iconic as the Lakers certainly doesn't hurt either.

Simply put, Bryant is most likely going to make the team.

If he doesn't, however, it'll be because he hasn't played like an All-Star this season.

In years past, the potent combination of Bryant's production and popularity often made him the leading vote-getter, or one of them -- he was so good that, even if you didn't like him, he had to make the team. But now, enduring arguably his worst season since his rookie year, Bryant is no longer a lock based on his play alone.

And he's fine with that. In the unlikely scenario that he doesn't get voted in, and then isn't selected by the Western Conference coaches (he probably wouldn't be), Bryant is at peace with his All-Star status, via the Los Angeles Daily News:

Again, the 37-year-old Bryant is basically a lock for his 18th All-Star Game selection (he's started in 14 of them), which would be one shy of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time record of 19.

This season, Bryant is only averaging 16.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 30.7 minutes per game. Even with the dip in his production, the NBA's decision to move him to the frontcourt position diminished his competition for a starting spot. Last season, he was fourth in overall voting behind Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and he shouldn't drop much lower.

Bryant's impending retirement will also likely factor into voter's minds. Even NBA Commissioner Adam Silver thinks Bryant should be on the roster.

He's almost certainly going to make it. But it's nice to see Bryant displaying a level of self-awareness that hasn't always been there throughout his career.

“It would be great to play in it,” Bryant said following Wednesday’s practice at the Lakers’ practice facility in El Segundo. “If I’m not in it, I’m not going to beat myself up over that either. I’ll support the game no matter what. I’ll support the players no matter what.” [...]

“It would be great, but a the same time I’ve played in a lot of them, so it’s always great to have the younger guys step up and get their opportunities as well,” Bryant said. “I’ve played in quite a few. If I’m fortunate to be there, I’ll be extremely grateful for that. If I’m not, at the same token, I’ll be extremely grateful for the opportunities I’ve had.”