A lot of superstars adjust their game once they are older, and their athleticism begins to wane. There’s no question that a player changing their playstyle to be less physical can be key in extending just how long they are able to play.
LeBron James is currently 36, and he is averaging 26.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 5.3 APG. When we look at those basic stats, it doesn’t seem like he’s doing anything differently than what he usually does.
However, ESPN’s Kirk Goldsberry has recently revealed that LeBron James has slightly altered how he gets his points, with his focus being jump shooting, rather than attacking and finishing at the rim.
In his prime, LeBron James was a ferocious athlete who could finish some ridiculous shots at the rim. But it’s clear that he is weaponizing jump shooting as part of his game, and focusing less on rim scoring can help reduce his offensive load and lessen the regular season wear and tear for his body. If LeBron James keeps up his jump shooting, then that could be a huge boon for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Of course, LeBron James is currently shooting 48.3% from beyond the arc, and it’s clear that this percentage won’t be sustainable for someone who shot 36.5% from beyond the arc last season. However, that doesn’t mean that LeBron James didn’t improve his jumper, and it is possible that we will see his percentage go up this year as well.
LeBron James was a better shooter percentage-wise in the 2020-21 season than some prominent players such as James Harden and Trae Young, who are known to be prolific from beyond the arc. It remains to be seen if his improvement in that department will remain throughout the season or whether he’ll revert to shooting mid 30s percentages.
