By the numbers, LeBron James is entering Year 22 of his illustrious NBA career, a milestone shared only with recently inducted Hall of Famer Vince Carter. This achievement speaks volumes about his longevity and dedication to the game.
However, this remarkable statistic is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to discussing James’ extensive résumé.
As the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and a four-time Olympic medalist, James has built an impressive legacy. His impact is clear in various statistical categories, and this season, the Los Angeles Lakers forward is poised to ascend even higher in the record books, especially with the exciting prospect of playing alongside his son, Bronny.
Here’s a closer look at James’ statistics and his ever-expanding legacy in the history of the NBA:
LeBron has never been average
In fact, he has never had an average night on the court.
Throughout his 1,492 regular-season games and 287 playoff appearances, James has never finished a game with exactly 27.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists. He has come close numerous times, with 77 games featuring exactly 27 points, and several instances where he was just shy of the 27-7-7 mark.
For context, achieving a 27-7-7 stat line is a rare feat in NBA history, with only 51 occurrences recorded, excluding playoff performances.
Lakers star chasing Kareem, again
James is on the brink of surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in several key areas.
After claiming the title of the NBA’s all-time scoring leader in February 2023, James now sits at No. 6 for the most regular-season games played with 1,492.
While he won’t reach the top spot this season—held by Robert Parish with 1,611 games—James could potentially catch Abdul-Jabbar’s 1,560 games if he plays in 68 games this season. This would also place him ahead of Vince Carter (1,541), Dirk Nowitzki (1,522), and John Stockton (1,504).
When factoring in playoff appearances, James is on track to take the lead by late November. He has participated in 1,779 total games, just 16 behind Parish and 18 behind Abdul-Jabbar. This count does not include his participation in the inaugural NBA Cup championship game.
If he remains healthy, James is expected to play in his record-setting 1,798th game on November 29 against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
In terms of regular-season minutes, James ranks second with 56,597 minutes played, only 849 behind Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 57,446. At his current pace of approximately 35 minutes per game, he could surpass Abdul-Jabbar during the Lakers’ Christmas Day matchup against the Golden State Warriors.
LeBron climbing other lists
Here’s where James stands on other significant statistical lists:
— Field Goals: Currently, James is No. 2, 1,000 behind Abdul-Jabbar (15,837 to 14,837) in regular-season play. Including playoffs, he ranks No. 2 with 17,765, just 428 behind Abdul-Jabbar’s mark.
— Assists: James is positioned at No. 4 with 11,009 assists in regular-season play. Chris Paul from the San Antonio Spurs is at No. 3 with 11,894, making it unlikely for James to move up this season.
— 3-Pointers: He is No. 8 with 2,410 made threes, trailing Kyle Korver by 40.
— Steals: James ranks No. 8 with 2,275 steals, just 32 behind Scottie Pippen and 35 behind Maurice Cheeks.
Life at 40 (and beyond) for LeBron
As James approaches his 40th birthday on December 30, he could play in 53 games this season following that milestone.
His first game post-birthday will be on New Year’s Eve against the Cleveland Cavaliers, one of his former teams. This game will not only mark a significant moment in his career but also provide an opportunity for James to further his legacy as he climbs the ranks of players aged 40 and older.
