If you would have told someone back in 2013 that LeBron James would be averaging nearly 30 PPG in the 2022-23 NBA season, they would have laughed in your face. No one would have thought it would be possible for a man in his 20th season to be this good but LeBron has done the seemingly impossible so many times at this point.
James has been exceptional in 2023, averaging 33.6 PPG, 9.4 RPG, and 8.0 APG in 11 games as he continues to show that age is just a number. His longevity is really mind-boggling and Kevin Durant recently showered him with praise. KD was asked about a pass-first guy like LeBron being on the cusp of becoming the all-time leading scorer in NBA history and while he pushed back on that narrative, he complimented James for setting the bar for what an athlete wants to be.
KD on LeBron's legacy and longevity.#NBAHooperVision
📲 https://t.co/VPCjoRV5NJ pic.twitter.com/f3D00IYyrx
— NBA (@NBA) January 28, 2023
“See I ain’t never fall for that pass-first types. Bron always was a scorer it felt like, that could pass, I think he was a scorer first. When you can get 50 like that and average 27 for your career, I really think you’re a scorer, in my opinion. On top of having longevity that’s what brings you to being the no. 1 scorer of all time. I just think he is a scorer first that can make plays passing. I think that’s underselling him by calling him a pass-first player, in my opinion.”
“But the longevity is inspiring, you look up and you still see 30 points a night at 38 years old, still making plays on both ends of the floor, man that’s truly inspirational… Running up the court fast, he’s still explosive. He’s inspiring, he is setting the bat for what an athlete wants to be. Not everybody can do this. This is like the greatest that you can get. Especially in our era of basketball to have somebody that accomplished something like that, is inspiring to see. It is going to set the precedent for basketball players for a long time.”
This just shows how much respect Durant has for James. LeBron has also pushed back on that pass-first narrative at times and once he becomes the all-time leading scorer by passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, you’d hope that label finally goes away but it probably won’t.
Kendrick Perkins Says LeBron James Cannot Be In The MVP Conversation
LeBron’s outstanding recent play has led to debates on whether he is actually the best player in the league at the moment. His numbers are certainly incredible and it was only a matter of time before people started calling for him to be in the MVP conversation.
James’ former teammate Tristan Thompson said LeBron has to be in the MVP debate if the Lakers get the 6th or 7th seed but Kendrick Perkins disagreed with him. He feels there are far too many candidates at the top of the charts for LeBron to be considered for MVP if they get like the 7th seed. Perkins is probably right here as you really can’t see a scenario where James would get serious MVP consideration this season.
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