LeBron James continues to confound the people that expect him to slow down with age, turning out brilliant performances night in and night out for the Los Angeles Lakers. He has found a rich vein of form this season as he continues to try and push his team towards the top of the Western Conference.
James has been dominant, he’s scored over 30 points in 7 consecutive games and is averaging 28.8 points for the season. He is putting the Lakers on his back and putting his name in the MVP conversation as he continues to chase new records and greater heights in his career.
LeBron has been in the league since 2003, something that is hard to wrap your head around considering his level at the moment. His longevity can be best showcased by an example from NBA journalist Ben Stinar who compared the top 5 scorers from 2006 and then 2022.
2022 NBA PPG leaders
1.) Kevin Durant
2.) LeBron James
3.) Steph Curry
4.) Giannis Antetokounmpo
5.) Trae Young
2006 NBA PPG leaders
1.) Kobe Bryant
2.) Allen Iverson
3.) LeBron James
4.) Gilbert Arenas
5.) Dwyane Wade
The longevity of LeBron is mind boggling …
— Ben Stinar (@BenStinar) December 30, 2021
LeBron’s 28.8 per game points this season have only been bettered by Kevin Durant, with the King among the top 5 scorers in the league alongside Curry, Giannis and Atlanta’s Trae Young. Furthermore, Bron’s 7.5 rebounds a game puts him in the top 40 of that category, while his 6.6 assists a game are tied for 15th best in the league.
The 16 year difference has changed all the names around LeBron but he remains in the top 5 scorers as he was in 2006, when he surprisingly averaged less than he is now with 27.3 points on the season. The scale of this feat is truly staggering, considering that the average length of an NBA player’s career is just 4.5 years.
Of course, James will be more focused on ensuring that he can win another championship this season as compared to a scoring title. The Lakers will have to step their game up to ensure that his unreal play is rewarded though, and they can start when they play the Timberwolves on Monday night.
