LeBron James: Defying Father Time Historically in His 21st NBA Season
LeBron James hasn't just defined the laws of father time but has dominated it so far to start his 21st season in the NBA, showcasing career-high shooting numbers and impressive production just a month shy of his 39th birthday.
Coming off a stellar 37-point performance in their win over the Houston Rockets, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer showed no sign of slowing down at 38. This was the fifth time this season he scored 30 or more points in a game.
Nov. 19 vs. HOU: 37 points, six rebounds, eight assists (39 minutes)
Nov. 17 vs. POR: 35 points, five rebounds, nine assists (34 minutes)
Nov. 10 vs. PHX: 32 points, 11 rebounds, six assists (36 minutes)
Nov. 6 vs. MIA: 30 points, four rebounds, three assists (37 minutes)
Nov. 1 vs. LAC: 35 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists (42 minutes)
The Lakers are 4-1 when LeBron has scored 30 or more points, but maintaining this intense workload throughout an 82-game season may pose risks. With an average of 34.6 minutes per game, fatigue and an increased injury likelihood could emerge as concerns later in the season if his high-minute usage continues.
Only five other players in the history of the NBA have played 21 years: Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Robert Parish and Kevin Willis. Carter averaged the most points among those players, with 7.4 points in 76 games.
In 13 games this season, LeBron has averaged 26.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.7 steals while shooting a career-high 58.6% from the field and his second-best of his career from three at 39.7%.
On Nov. 15, in the Lakers' loss to the Sacramento Kings, LeBron became the second-oldest player in NBA history to have a triple-double, finishing with 28 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists. That was his 108th career triple-double, moving him ahead of Hall of Famer Jason Kidd on the NBA’s all-time triple-double list.
“I don’t know if you can put a timetable on when he’s going to be done,” said Kings coach Mike Brown, who coached James for five seasons in Cleveland. “He’s absolutely amazing to do what he does at his age. It’s phenomenal. I’m amazed every time we go against him.”
Currently, LeBron stands in third place in all-time minutes played, second in field goals made and attempted, fourth in free throws made, fifth in free throws attempted, and fourth in all-time assists.
LeBron is five points away from 39,000 career points, and if he continues defining the odds against Father Time, the all-time NBA scoring leader might shatter the scoring record and be one of those never to be broken.
LeBron stands just five points away from reaching 39,000 career points. If he continues to add points and defy the odds against Father Time, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader may shatter a record that will never be broken.
