NBA becomes first league to surpass one billion social media followers

By at least one measure, the NBA and its mega-watt star power is as healthy a professional sports league as there is.

According to a release sent from the league, shared on the eve of All-Star weekend no less, the NBA surpassed one billion likes and followers on social media to become the first professional sports league to hit that landmark.

The measure includes all league, team and player accounts across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and Tencent and Sina in China.

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Unsurprisingly, 12-time All-Star LeBron James is the most followed athlete in the league at more than 66 million likes and followers. Kobe Bryant, set to play in his final All-Star Game, is second at 33.7 million. Kevin Durant (28.8 million), Dwyane Wade (22.1 million) and Carmelo Anthony (15.9 million) round out the top-5. Perhaps it's because Steph Curry is relatively new to the game, but he's sixth just behind Anthony. A few more years of dominance, not to mention podium appearances from Riley Curry, should change that.

And from a team perspective? Rejoice, Lakers (28.3 million), Bulls (22.5 million) and Heat (21.6 million) fans. Your teams win the social media race.

Gallery: 2016 NBA All-Star rosters