LeBron James put on a show against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns in the Los Angeles Laker’s first win of the 2023-24 NBA Season. It may be LeBron’s 21st season in the NBA, but he still has the hops to show that he belongs in the game.
The Los Angeles Lakers announced that they will be limiting the playing time of their star player to 29 minutes per game in order to keep him healthy for the playoffs. However, in their recent game against the Phoenix Suns, James went over the minute limit and played for 35 minutes, scoring 21 points, making nine assists, and grabbing eight rebounds. James played the entire fourth quarter and was instrumental in securing the 100-95 victory for the Lakers, contributing 10 points, three rebounds, and two assists in that quarter alone.
It is still evident that LeBron James is an essential key player for the Lakers, and they will follow his lead regarding how much time he can give per game.
LeBron James photo goes viral
But the talk of the early season is a viral image that shows just how high James can fly.
Even the King himself couldn’t resist posting the image.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2018/11/22/2466646-51231630-2560-1440.jpg)
LeBron James:Lakers ‘don’t give a (crap)’ about outside criticism of Anthony Davis
LeBron in his 21st season, compared to other NBA greats
LeBron James averaged 36 minutes per game last season, making his time in the game against the Suns similar to what he is used to contributing for the Lakers.
In a comparison between LeBron and Kobe, who retired from the NBA in 2016 after 20 years in the league at the age of 37, Kobe had an average of 28.2 minutes per game, with 17.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.
When James is compared to Michael Jordan at the same age, Jordan averaged 38.8 minutes, 28.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Jordan went on to play two more years before retiring at the age of 40.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the all-time leading NBA scorer until the record was broken by LeBron last season when he recorded 38 points in a 133-130 loss to the Thunder on Feb. 7, 2022, with 10.9 seconds remaining in the third quarter. James’ performance pushed his point total to surpass Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387 career total.
When James is compared to Abdul-Jabbar at the same age during his 1984-85 season with the Lakers, the famed center totaled 33.3 minutes, 22 points, 7.9 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per game.
It can be said with certainty that whenever LeBron James decides to leave the game and retire, he has cemented his name as one of the greatest basketball players ever to play the game.
