Con 38 years, 21 seasons in the NBA that he is going to complete and everything he has already been, LeBron James not only continues to play for the love of basketball. He has a lot, but ‘The King’ has a few goals in sight this year that push him to continue working hard in the gym to give his best.
1
Age is noticeable in injuries
Health
First, health. Apart from the Lakers’ problems to surround him well until half a year ago, injuries have been LeBron’s great torment in recent seasons, only 56 games in the 21-22 season and 55 last year. An injury to the foot tendon The previous season put their presence in the playoffs in check but that already seems forgotten. The relatively recurrent injuries of recent times are just the only sign of the passing of the years in the now oldest player in the NBA.
2
At the level of Kobe and Magic
The fifth ring
All objectives begin with the only thing that matters to ‘The King’ and the main incentive for which he continues to play: the fifth ring. A round number with which he would equal the five titles of Kobe Bryant o Magic Johnson now only one of Michael Jordan’s six.
The Lakers have prepared what may be the deepest roster in the NBA for this purpose. Those in purple and gold maintain much of the core with which they reached the Western Finals and have added pieces such as Gabe Vincent or Christian Wood. That Anthony Davis staying healthy is, of course, another ‘sine qua non’ condition.
3
‘The King’ wants to take the throne from Oscar Schmidt
The absolute scoring record
LeBron doesn’t play anything but for the ring. But, as a consequence of his longevity also in terms of success, ‘The King’ still has more than one interesting record within his reach. The first, the world’s top scorer of all time.
‘The King’ surpassed last year Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s top scorer, but the Brazilian Oscar Schmidt He remains the one who has registered the most points in the entire history of basketball between club competitions – playoffs included – and national team. The one who was the ACB’s top scorer with Valladolid in 1994 has accumulated 49,737 points. LeBron is 2,003 behind Schmidt, who did not want to play in the NBA, declining interest from the Nets for several years.
Maintaining the 30 points On average from the previous year, LeBron would need 69 games to surpass the Brazilian. The last time he came close to that number of games played was the campaign of his last ring, 2019-2020, with 67.
A long road in the playoffs would bring ‘Bron’ closer to the record, who would definitely have the milestone within reach if he plays for at least one more year. When he broke the record Abdul-Jabbarsaid he would like to take a couple more courses, which includes this one and the next one
4
More records
Kobe Bryant’s mark in free throws
What the successful longevity has, LeBron has more records within his reach this season as ESPN points out. Among them, another from Kareem Abdul Jabbar, the one with the most minutes played in the NBA. He’ll get over it if he plays 549 more minutes. Playing the average number of minutes from last year, 35.5 will only take 15 games to achieve.
And, although it is not a record, it is an achievement with some relevance due to its symbolic meaning, such as overtaking Kobe Bryant as third on the list of most free throws made. LeBron is 292 made shots away from becoming the ‘Black Mamba’, something he can achieve in 63 games with an average of 4.6 made free throws from last year.
Karl Malone He is the one who heads the ranking. It would take the Lakers star about four seasons to take the lead from the Jazz legend. He should raise his percentage from 4.60, the area of the game in which ‘The King’ has always faltered the most, having never reached 80% in any season.
Another close record is the most seasons played in the NBA, although it would equal the record of 22 seasons of Vince Carter next year if he decides to play one more season as planned.
5
The debate of the best in history
The duel with Michael Jordan
LeBron continues to play simply also for and to sit on the coveted throne of the best player basketball has ever given, to further intensify the debate between him and Michael Jordan. The more you get of everything mentioned above, the better.
‘The King’ will precisely return to the ’23’ that Michael Jordan also wore to respect the ‘6’ of Bill Russell. He actually already considers himself the best, as he said on the eve of Abdul-Jabbar’s record: “I feel like I’m the best basketball player who has ever played.”
However, you will have to continue working to convince those who do not agree. If he wins the fifth ring, getting the sixth that would equal him with Jordan could be another reason for ‘Bron’ to continue. Although the criterion of the collective titles In team sports it is not always the most precise to define the best in history with the NBA itself as an example, with MJ designated as the best and not Bill Russell despite being the one with the most rings with 11.
6
The redemption of Team USA
The Olympic Games
Paris 2024 arrives once the season is over, but what happens during this season can determine the presence or not of LeBron James in the next Games. First of all, finish the course in good physical condition.
He has not confirmed it, but the ’23’ wants to put together a new Dream Team with the Kevin Durant y Stephen Curry that redeem the United States from its World Cup failure. Although he hasn’t played for Team USA in a decade, ‘The King’ understands that his country needs him to restore its honor.
7
Last year, the worst mark in more than a decade
Los triples
LeBron’s statistical sheet last year was impeccable as always, with 29 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists, with 50% in field goals and 76.8% in free throws, his best percentage in his career. weak point in more than a decade.
However, his 32% in triples was the worst in 15 years, a problem that worsened in the playoffs with just 26%. 32% with such a high volume of shots – 7 per game – and, considering everything he does, it is acceptable, but, knowing LeBron, he will have worked hard this summer to go from decent shooter to notable.
8
The biggest dream
Bronny James
LeBron will look askance at what his son Bronny is doing in his first year at college with USC. Health comes first but, having overcome the worst of his cardiac arrest, the first-born of ‘The King’ is preparing to compete again this year. There is no return date but Bronny James is on the right track.
Although we have to see how it evolves, to return to the level before the misfortune that projected it in the top-20 of the next draft, there would be possibilities of seeing Bronny landing in the NBA even next year. So, we’ll have to see how that meeting with LeBron takes place, who has no greater hope before retiring than to play alongside his son.
2023-10-19 03:16:31
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