As the NBA season approaches, all eyes are on LeBron James, the standout player for the Los Angeles Lakers. On October 15, 2024, during a preseason exhibition against the Golden State Warriors, the world of basketball was once again reminded of James’s enduring greatness as he kicks off his 22nd NBA season—a record only previously matched by Vince Carter, the legendary basketball player.
Impressive Numbers
What makes LeBron James a true icon isn’t just his longevity in the game, but also the staggering numbers that accompany his career. As the all-time leading scorer in NBA history and a four-time Olympic medalist, he continues to add to his impressive résumé. This season promises to be a new chapter, especially with his son Bronny preparing to play alongside him.
Unprecedented Consistency
One of the most remarkable aspects of James’s career is his ability to maintain exceptional performance. Over the course of 1,492 regular-season games and 287 playoff contests, he boasts career averages of 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists per game. Interestingly, he has never recorded a precise 27-7-7 stat line in a single game, despite coming close on multiple occasions:
- 77 games with exactly 27 points
- 11 games with 27 points and 7 rebounds
- 6 games with 27 points and 7 assists
- 11 games just shy of achieving the 27-7-7 mark
To put this in context, only 51 players in NBA history have achieved the 27-7-7 milestone, with LeBron being the only one in the same conversation as legends like Jerry West and Kevin Durant.
Chasing Historical Records
In this new season, James is not only looking to maintain his scoring title but is also pursuing records set by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. After surpassing Abdul-Jabbar to become the all-time leading scorer in February 2023, he currently ranks sixth for most regular-season games played, with 1,492. If he plays the entire season, he could surpass 1,560 games played by Abdul-Jabbar, with the potential to set a new record by the end of November with a total of 1,779 games played.
LeBron’s Other Statistical Achievements
As the season progresses, James continues to climb the statistical ranks, currently holding impressive positions in various categories:
- Field Goals Made: 2nd with 14,837 points, just 1,000 points behind Abdul-Jabbar.
- Free Throws Made: 3rd with 8,390, needing 141 to surpass Moses Malone.
- Assists: 4th with 11,009, trailing Chris Paul by 885.
- Three-Pointers Made: 8th with 2,410—only 40 behind Kyle Korver.
- Steals: 8th with 2,275, slightly behind Scottie Pippen.
In summary, LeBron James has reached unprecedented milestones throughout his career and is ready to tackle this season with the same fervor that has defined his two-decade legacy. As he prepares to make history in the NBA, fans can only wonder: what more can LeBron achieve?
