LeBron James’ Total Points Per Season: The King Of Longevity

Back in 1984, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar broke the NBA’s scoring record set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1966. For 38 and a half years, that record has stood and was thought to be unobtainable by any player who dared to chase it. In 2023, however, that record is on the cusp of being broken by a man who has stayed consistently great over the last 20 seasons. That man’s name is LeBron James. Since 2004, James has remained a consistent 25.0 PPG threat and embodied what it has meant to have longevity in the NBA. For those reasons, he is about to make NBA history.

LeBron James has not averaged less than 25.0 PPG in a season since his rookie year. That means for 19 seasons, James has been guaranteed to at least give his team 25 points while being an all-time great playmaker and passer. In some people’s eyes, he is the greatest player to ever live, not my eyes, but some people. Today, we will go season-by-season through his NBA career to see how he got to the brink of being the league’s all-time leading scorer. This will include his MVP seasons, championship seasons, and every season of his career. 

These are LeBron James’ total points by season over the last 20 years.

2003-04 Season – 1,654 Total Points

Stats: 20.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.7 BPG

Coming into the league out of high school and as the No. 1 overall pick, LeBron James had the weight of the world on his shoulders as far as expectations go. He was tabbed with the task of bringing the Cleveland Cavaliers back to relevancy after years and years of consistent losing seasons. James’ rookie season marked the beginning of an era, but no one knew what lay ahead for the high school phenom.

James had an outstanding rookie season for the Cavaliers and was rewarded with the Rookie of the Year award for his efforts. James poured in 40 20-point games during his first year and 13 30-point games. His high for the season came in March 2004 when he went for 41 points on 51.7% shooting in a victory over the New Jersey Nets. At 19 years old, James was well on his way to superstardom but could only lead the Cavaliers to a 35-47 record, missing the playoffs.

2004-05 Season – 2,175 Total Points

Stats: 27.2 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 7.2 APG, 2.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG

When the next season rolled around, James took a much more all-around approach to the game. He averaged over 7.0 rebounds and assists per game that season while also averaging over 27.0 PPG. Once again, James had the City of Cleveland high on hope for a playoff berth and ready to embrace him as the chosen one.

James’ second season was filled with accomplishments for the 20-year-old star. James would record 68 games with at least 20 points and 27 games with at least 30. His best game that season came in a loss to the Toronto Raptors when he scored 56 points, had 10 rebounds, and dished out 5 assists. James played 80 games that season but the Cavaliers finished 42-40 and once again missed out on postseason contention.

2005-06 Season – 2,478 Total Points

Stats: 31.4 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.8 BPG

The 2005-06 season marked the first time in LeBron’s career that he eclipsed the 30.0 PPG mark in a season. He would make his first All-NBA First team this season as well and lead the Cavaliers to the playoffs, a welcomed sight for all that expected him to be great. He made his 2nd straight All-Star Team as well, and at 21 years old, was already considered to be a Top 10 player in the NBA.

James would go on to finish 3rd in the NBA scoring title race that season. He registered 10 games with 40 points or more and 49 games with at least 30 points. This time, James and the Cavaliers made the NBA playoffs with a 50-32 record on the season. In the first round, James and the Cavaliers defeated the Wizards in 6 games, with LeBron putting up 35.7 PPG in the series. James and his team would fall in the next round to the Detroit Pistons in seven games.

2006-07 Season – 2,132 Total Points

Stats: 27.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.7 BPG

By the time the next season arrived, the Cavaliers’ championship window was officially open. James had another spectacular season for the Cavaliers, finishing 4th in scoring and leading the Cavaliers to another 50-32 record. Once again, James would lead his team in points, assist, and steals to help them reach this point. To show how important James was to his team’s offense in 2006-07, their second-leading scorer was Larry Hughes with 14.9 PPG compared to James’ 27.3 PPG.

James’ season would be mediocre scoring-wise when compared to the 2005-06 season. This season, he would only grab 33 games with at least 30 points and 1 game with at least 40. He saved his best performance for the playoffs as he led the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals, averaging 25.1 PPG. James and the Cavaliers would barely put up a fight in the Finals against the Spurs and were swept in the series.

2007-08 Season – 2,250 Points

Stats: 30.0 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.8 SPB, 1.1 BPG

The 2007-08 season would be one of James’ most complete seasons in the NBA. It marked the first time that he averaged over 1.0 SPG and 1.0 BPG in the same season. It also marked the first and only time he would take home a scoring title in his career. For the second time, James reached the 30.0 PPG mark in his career and was once again named to the NBA’s All-NBA First Team.

James’ scoring was incredible as he registered 39 games with at least 30 points, 7 games with at least 40, and 2 50-point games as well. He once again led the Cavaliers to the playoffs with a 45-37 record. James and the Cavaliers would fall to the eventual champion Boston Celtics in a 7-game series during the second round of the playoffs. LeBron averaged 28.2 PPG in the two playoff series that he played in before being eliminated.

2008-09 Season – 2,304 Total Points

Stats: 28.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 BPG

The 2008-09 season would be a special and historic one for LeBron James. It would be his first MVP win in the NBA as he led the Cavaliers to 66 wins, their first season with 60+ wins in forever. James and the Cavaliers breezed through the competition in 2009, ranking 3rd in total defense and 4th in total offense. They would make easy work of the first 2 rounds of the playoffs thanks to James as they steamrolled toward another NBA Finals appearance.

In the first round of the playoffs, James averaged 32.0 PPG in a 4-game sweep of the Detroit Pistons. The Cavaliers would sweep the Hawks in the second round as well behind 33.8 PPG from James and two other scorers in double-digits. In the Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron and the Cavaliers would fall in 6 games to the Orlando Magic as James did his best with an incredible 38.5 PPG.

2009-10 Season – 2,258 Total Points

Stats: 29.7 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 8.6 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.0 BPG

For the 3rd season in a row, LeBron James was one of the better defenders in the NBA, averaging over 1.0 SPG and 1.0 BPG on the year. He would be named to his second straight All-Defensive First Team and his 3rd straight All-NBA First Team. Once again, the Cavaliers would win over 60 games that season and make a trip to the NBA playoffs behind Coach Mike Brown and LeBron James.

James was rewarded for his incredible season with his second straight MVP award. The Cavaliers were set to take on the Chicago Bulls in the first round, led by a young star on the rise, Derrick Rose. James led the Cavs to a 5-game series win with 31.8 PPG and a date with his heated rival the Boston Celtics. Boston was able to hold James to 26.8 PPG and take the series in 6 games. It would be the last game that James would play with the Cavaliers for the next 5 years.

2010-11 Season – 2,111 Total Points

Stats: 26.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 7.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.6 BPG

In 2011, LeBron James decided he was going to take his talents to South Beach and Join the Miami Heat. In Miami, James would join Dwyane Wade, and the duo would go on to be considered one of the greatest duos in NBA history. The two stars, along with Chris Bosh, who also joined the Heat with LeBron that offseason, took a bit of time to adjust to playing together but ended up winning 58 games that season.

James was the team’s leading scorer that season with 26.7 PPG, while Wade was right behind him with 25.5 PPG. The Heat cruised to the NBA Finals for a rematch of the 2006 NBA Finals with the Dallas Mavericks. Unfortunately for Heat and LeBron fans, it did not work out well. After getting a lead in the series, LeBron folded in the 4th quarter of most games in the series, and the Heat fell to the Mavericks in 6 games.

2011-12 Season – 1,683 Total Points

Stats: 27.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.9 SPG, 0.8 BPG

The 2012 season would be one of revenge for James and the Heat as they looked to bounce back from a miserable 2011 Finals loss. James would lead the Heat once again as he won his 3rd MVP award, and the Heat won 46 games in a shortened season. James would lead the team in points, rebounds, assists, and steals as they once again found themselves as title favorites headed into the NBA playoffs.

LeBron, in the 2012 season and overall in his time with Miami, was easily the best version of himself as a player we ever saw. James would tally 24 games with at least 30 points and 2 games with 40 points or more. He was at his defensive peak and nearly won himself a Defensive Player of the Year award to go with his MVP award. James would achieve one of his greatest accomplishments as he and the Heat would win the 2012 NBA championship, with James claiming the first title and Finals MVP of his career.

2012-13 Season – 2,036 Total Points

Stats: 26.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 7.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.9 BPG

Headed into the 2012-13 season, LeBron James and the Miami Heat were once again viewed as NBA championship favorites after claiming their first title in 2012. James would have another spectacular season as he led the Heat in scoring, rebounds, and assists. For the 4th time in his NBA career, James was named the MVP as he led Miami to 66 wins and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.

James’ season was certainly one for the record books. He recorded 26 games with at least 30 points but was more focused on the other aspects of the game to try and help Miami win another NBA title. James had 15 games with at least 10 assists, as well as 17 games with at least 3 steals. James and the Heat would once again claim an NBA championship when it was all said and done, defeating the Spurs in the NBA Finals. James was rewarded with his 2nd NBA championship and 2nd Finals MVP award for his efforts.

2013-14 Season – 2,089 Points

Stats: 27.1 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 6.3 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.3 BPG

The 2013-14 season would be the final season for LeBron James in Miami with the Heat. Once again, as the season started, James was the favorite to win his 3rd straight MVP, and the Heat were set to be on the cusp of the NBA’s first three-peat since the 2000-2002 Lakers. If they could have made all of that happen, Miami could have been one of the greatest dynasties of all time, but as we all know, it didn’t work out that way.

James and the Heat enjoyed another great season going 54-28 on the year and winning their division once more. LeBron had himself 31 games with at least 30 points and 3 games with at least 40 points. James and the Heat worked their way to their 4th consecutive NBA Finals for a rematch with the Spurs from the previous season. James and the Heat were no match for the Spurs this time, and James suffered the 3rd Finals loss of his NBA career.

2014-15 Season – 1,743 Total Points

Stats: 25.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.7 BPG

In the 2014 offseason, LeBron James made the tough but correct decision and decided to return to Cleveland and play with the Cavaliers again. Determined to win a championship for the city that raised him, James paired with Kyrie Irving to form an unstoppable duo together. In a power move to further their chances, the Cavaliers also traded their No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins in exchange for Kevin Love, a move that would pay off eventually.

This season could be considered a down season for LeBron scoring-wise but not overall by any means. James would only tally 18 games with at least 30 points and 3 games with at least 40. The Cavaliers would win 53 games under Coach David Blatt and advance to the NBA Finals, James’ 5th appearance in a row. The team eventually fell to the Golden State Warriors, but it would not be the last we saw of LeBron or the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.

2015-16 Season – 1,920 Total Points

Stats: 25.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.6 BPG

The 2015-16 season would end up being one of the greatest seasons for LeBron James as a player and for the Cavaliers as a team. James and the Cavaliers felt slighted after their loss in the 2015 Finals, considering the losses of both Irving and Love to injuries in the series. James would have an identical season to 2015, but this time, the Cavaliers would win 57 games and prime themselves for another shot at the NBA Finals.

LeBron James and the Cavaliers would once again find themselves on a collision course with a Golden State Warriors team that won 73 games, breaking the single-season record for wins by a team. In the Finals, James and company would fall behind in the series by 3 games to 1 and were in desperate need of someone to save their season. James would do just that, fueling a comeback from the 3-1 deficit and claiming his 3rd NBA championship. He would also lay claim to his 3rd Finals MVP award in one of the biggest upsets in NBA Finals history.

2016-17 Season – 1,954 Total Points

Stats: 26.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 8.7 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG

Coming off an NBA championship in 2016, LeBron and the Cavaliers were still hungry for more. James would lead the NBA in minutes per game, averaging over 37.0 minutes a night. James would put up better numbers than in his previous 2 seasons with the Cavs and end the season as a legitimate MVP candidate. He improved his game from the mid-range and three-point line as the Cavaliers once again challenged for an NBA championship.

With just 23 games of at least 30 points scored, LeBron wasn’t exactly the dominant scorer he was in Miami, but he was as impactful as any other player in the NBA. James lost out to Harden and Westbrook for the MVP award but was arguably the best player in basketball. Once again, the Cavaliers found themselves in a battle with the Warriors for the NBA championship. This time, things went far worse for Cleveland as they fell in 5 games in James’ 7th straight Finals appearance.

2017-18 Season – 2,251 Total Points

Stats: 27.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 9.1 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.9 BPG

The 2017-18 season would mark the end of an era for LeBron James in Cleveland, and boy did he go out with a bang. James was arguably the most complete version of himself as he led the NBA in total points and was among the league leaders in assists and steals. The Cavaliers would win 50 games to 32 losses, but it was pretty much guaranteed that a Finals spot was within reach if James was on your team at this point.

James would help the Cavaliers reach their 4th straight NBA Finals and his 8th straight appearance personally. James put together 32 30-point performances as well as 4 games with at least 40 points during the regular season. Once in the Finals, the Cavaliers were overmatched by the firepower possessed by the Warriors and were swept in 4 games. James did all he could in the 4 games, as he averaged 34.0 PPG, 8.5 RPG, and 10.0 APG.

2018-19 Season – 1,505 Total Points

Stats: 27.4 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 8.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.6 BPG

In the 2018 offseason, LeBron James decided to join the 3rd NBA team of his career and move all the way west to be with the Los Angeles Lakers. Up until Christmas Day, the Lakers were in first place and rolling through the competition. That was until LeBron James suffered an injury that cost him 27 games of the season, and he missed the playoffs for the first time since 2004-05.

James had been having a great season before he was injured as he tried to help young players like Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and Julius Randle adjust to the NBA. James had 48 games with at least 20 points and 15 games with at least 30. The elimination from playoff contention would be the fuel that James needed, as 2020 would be the resurrection of the King in Los Angeles.

2019-20 Season – 1,698 Total Points

Stats: 25.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 10.0 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.5 BPG

As the 2020 season approached, few could foresee the events that were coming. The Lakers decided to gamble and acquire Anthony Davis for the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for most of their young core. The move would pay off as the Lakers would win 51 games out of 70 played. The season was shit down due to the arrival of COVID-19, and the rest of the year was in limbo for everybody across the NBA.

As play resumed in a bubble environment down in Orlando, James and the Lakers were focused on getting themselves a championship on a level playing field. James and Davis were one of the best duos in the game, as they somewhat remain today, en route to a berth in the NBA Finals. The two stars would finish off the improbable run with a 6-game series win over the Miami Heat. James was named Finals MVP for the fourth time and delivered his 3rd championship to his 3rd different team.

2020-21 Season – 1,126 Total Points

Stats: 25.0 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 7.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.6 BPG

The next two seasons for LeBron James are for sure ones he would like to forget. In 2021, injuries to himself and Anthony Davis limited the Lakers to what they could accomplish in the regular season. James would play just 45 games and was clearly bothered by the lower leg injury suffered earlier in the year. By the time the playoffs came around, they had no momentum.

In the playoffs, James and the Lakers drew the Phoenix Suns in round one after sneaking through the play-in tournament. James and the Lakers looked like they could pull off the upset until an injury to Davis left him knocked out of the series. James did all he could to carry the team, but it wasn’t enough to suppress the firepower of Phoenix. The Lakers lost in six games, and James didn’t make it past the first round for the first time ever.

2021-22 Season – 1,695 Total Points

Stats: 30.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.1 BPG

Thye 2021-22 season was supposed to be one that LeBron and the Lakers would compete for an NBA championship. In the offseason, the team went out and got him and Anthony Davis a point guard to be the floor general and take some pressure off them offensively. Russell Westbrook, however, did not live up to the bill and the Lakers struggled from day one.

James was once again marred by injury, as was Davis for the second season in a row. As great as James was when he was healthy, it just wasn’t enough to make the Lakers competitive. James would register 34 games with 30 points or more and 2 50-point games as well. However, injuries and the Westbrook experiment limited Los Angeles to just 22 wins, and for the 2nd time in 4 seasons, James and the Lakers missed the playoffs.

2022-23 Season – 1,042 Total Points

Stats: 29.8 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 7.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG

All of this brings us to the 2022-23 season. LeBron is on the brink of passing Kareem’s scoring record, but once again, Davis has been sidelined with a significant injury. LeBron has looked like he is in his 20s once again, as he is leading the team in several major categories, including scoring.

As it stands, the Lakers are just a few games out of playoff contention and have been playing great basketball as of late. Through 34 games, LeBron has 17 games with 30 or more points and even has 3 40-point games so far this year. The Lakers have a lot of work to do to finish strong and make a playoff push. As we have seen here today, anything is possible with LeBron James leading the way.

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