For ten years now, Basket USA has offered its Top 5 candidates for the “Most Valuable Player (MVP)” trophy every Tuesday. If, this week, our race remains dominated by Stephen Curry, ahead of DeMar DeRozan and Kevin Durant, it is undeniably LeBron James who has been talked about the most for several days.
While he has just celebrated his 37th birthday, the Lakers winger has simply been beaming since his return from suspension at the end of November. Evidenced by his averages of 31.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.7 interceptions and 1.3 against per game, since November 24! The whole at 54% with the shots, 38% with 3-points and 77% with the free throws, on an average playing time of… 38 minutes (and with 3.2 losses of ball).
But LeBron James ‘stats are even more impressive since Anthony Davis’ injury, which dates back to December 19. Because, from that date, the “King” has clearly passed the overdrive, posting no less than 34.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.9 interceptions and 1.5 against on average, at 57% on shots, 41% at 3- points and 79% on free throws (with 2.6 ball losses)!
The more days go by, therefore, the more the quadruple NBA champion seems to be almost rejuvenated, as evidenced by his recent level of play and the visual impression he currently exudes on a parquet floor. In the end, only the collective results of the Lakers (19 wins – 19 losses) tarnish the potential candidacy for the MVP trophy of the one who has already won this famous Maurice Podoloff statuette four times.
Incredible longevity
Apart from this record, which for the moment offers a simple 8th place in the Western Conference to the “Purple & Gold”, LeBron James has the typical profile of the MVP. Which lasts, after all, since the first of his 19 seasons in the league. Except that achieving such performances at this age, and with so many seasons in the legs, is a feat as impressive as it is unprecedented.
Judge for yourselves: with his 28.5 points average over the 2021/22 fiscal year, which would allow him to be the second best scorer in the NBA behind Kevin Durant (29.7), if he had played at least 70 % of Lakers games, “LBJ” is currently in the process of (easily) dethroning Alex English (26.5, in 1988/89) and Kobe Bryant (27.9, in 2011/12), in terms of the lowest point averages respectively. higher for a player aged 35 and over and a player with more than 15 seasons of seniority.
The difference being that Alex English was “only” 35 years old and that Kobe Bryant was “only” playing his 16th season in the league. While LeBron James is two years and three seasons older than them, today. And that he was already just as successful at the same age and level of experience as the English / Bryant duo.
Highest point averages, among players aged 35+
28.5 – LeBron James (37 years old, in 2021/22)
26.5 – Alex English (35 years old, in 1988/89)
25.5 – Karl Malone (36 years old, in 1999/00)
25.3 – LeBron James (35, in 2019/20)
25.0 – LeBron James (36, in 2020/21)
Highest point averages, among players with 15+ seasons of seniority
28.5 – LeBron James (19th season, in 2021/22)
27.9 – Kobe Bryant (16th season, in 2011/12)
27.5 – LeBron James (15th season, in 2017/18)
27.4 – LeBron James (16th season, in 2018/19)
27.3 – Kobe Bryant (17th season, in 2012/13)
Now, if we focus exclusively on the top performing players at 37 years and over and with at least 19 seasons of seniority, we notice that LeBron James is, again, demonstrating the incredible longevity of which he is. demonstrated so far. Shattering the records of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (23.4, in 1985/86) and Kobe Bryant (22.3, in 2014/15), respectively for the highest point averages at this age and level of experience .
Highest point averages, among players aged 37+
28.5 – LeBron James (37 years old, in 2021/22)
23.4 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38 ans, en 1985/86)
23.2 – Karl Malone (37 years old, in 2000/01)
22.9 – Michael Jordan (38 years old, in 2001/02)
22.4 – Karl Malone (38 years old, in 2001/02)
Highest point averages, among players with 19+ seasons of seniority
28.5 – LeBron James (19th season, in 2021/22)
22.3 – Kobe Bryant (19th season, in 2014/15)
17.6 – Kobe Bryant (20th season, in 2015/16)
14.6 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (19e saison, en 1987/88)
14.2 – Dirk Nowitzki (19th season, in 2016/17)
Finally, to be completely complete on the performance of LeBron James, from a purely statistical point of view, it is also interesting to note that the “King” had not registered so many points per game (28.5) since the season… 2009/10 (29.7). In other words, the last of his first stint with the Cavaliers, when he was only 25 years old. All this with 20.2 shots attempted per game, its biggest total in the field since 2007/08 (21.9).
We also note that the “franchise player” of the Lakers, forced to reinvent his game over the years (and now his position), has never scored (3.0) and tried (7.9) as many 3-points as this season. In addition to shooting at 37.4% success behind the arc, his third best career percentage, behind the 2012/13 (40.6%) and 2013/14 (37.9%) exercises.
Note also that LeBron James, who only attempts 5.7 free throws per game (his lowest career total matched), has clearly found his sights on the line in recent weeks, since he has posted a solid 77.2% success in the throws. In other words, his second best percentage in his career, after his 78.0% in 2008/09.
Suffice to say that the man with 17 All-Star Game selections has raised the tone recently, after his mixed start to the season and disturbed by his physical problems. However, for the time being, the “Purple & Gold” (who score 14 wins and 12 losses, when their flagship winger is in gear) still fail to take off in the standings.
But, if they succeed, it will certainly be necessary to count once again on a presence of LeBron James in the Top 5 of the ballot for the MVP trophy. It would be, moreover, his 15th appearance in this Top 5, that is to say as much as the current record holder in the matter, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar …
1 – Stephen Curry (Warriors)
With: 29 wins, 7 losses – 1st in the West.
Matches: 34 contested out of 36 possible.
Stats : 27.2 pts, 5.2 reb, 6.1 pds, 1.5 int, 0.5 ctr and 3.4 bp in 35 min.
Percentages: 43% on shots, 39% on 3-pointers and 92% on throws.
2 – DeMar DeRozan (Bulls)
With: 25 wins, 10 losses – 1st in the East.
Matches: 32 contested out of 35 possible.
Stats : 26.9 pts, 5.0 reb, 4.5 pds, 0.9 int, 0.3 ctr and 2.1 bp in 35 min.
Percentages: 49% on shots, 36% on 3-pointers and 86% on throws.
3 – Kevin Durant (Nets)
With: 23 wins, 12 losses – 2nd in the East.
Matches: 30 contested out of 35 possible.
Stats : 29.7 pts, 7.7 reb, 5.7 pds, 0.7 int, 0.9 ctr and 3.2 bp in 37 min.
Percentages: 51% on shots, 37% on 3-pointers and 88% on throws.
4 – Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
With: 25 wins, 14 losses – 3rd in the East.
Matches: 31 contested out of 39 possible.
Stats : 27.9 pts, 11.5 reb, 5.9 pds, 1.1 int, 1.5 ctr and 3.3 bp in 33 min.
Percentages: 54% on shots, 27% on 3-pointers and 69% on throws.
5 – Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
With: 18 wins, 17 losses – 5th in the West.
Matches: 27 contested out of 32 possible.
Stats : 25.7 pts, 14.0 reb, 6.9 pds, 1.4 int, 0.8 ctr and 3.7 pdb in 33 min.
Percentages: 56% on shots, 35% on 3-pointers and 77% on throws.
Mentions : LeBron James (Lakers), Ja Morant (Grizzlies), Chris Paul et Devin Booker (Suns), Rudy Gobert (Jazz), Joel Embiid (Sixers), Zach LaVine (Bulls)…
