LeBron James Now Leads the NBA in a Ridiculous Stat Despite Missing Multiple Games for the Lakers
In his 19th season, Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James has shown no slowing down. James remains the Lakers’ driving force behind his stellar play that has kept them afloat in the playoff picture. The four-time league MVP has now just added another mind-boggling feat.
LeBron James guides the Lakers to snap a five-game skid
The Lakers finally took a step in the right direction by snapping their five-game losing streak after edging out the Houston Rockets.
In James’ first career start at center, he led the charge with his 102nd career triple-double while Los Angeles shot 52.2% from the floor and 41.2% from beyond the arc. The Lakers notched a balanced offensive effort with five players in double-figure scoring, with four 20-point performances.
James’ stellar outing in the much-needed win put him in the spotlight again behind another phenomenal feat.
LeBron James now leads the NBA in a ridiculous stat despite missing multiple games for the Lakers
James’ impressive triple-double outing on Tuesday night spoke volumes regarding his remarkable ageless talent despite being in his 19th campaign.
The 36-year-old continues to showcase that Father Time hasn’t caught up to him yet. However, he experienced his struggles with injuries as he’s missed 12 games. James has put those health issues behind him by hitting an offensive stride by leading the league with 13 30-point performances in the 23 games he’s played.
He hit that scoring mark 11 times in his previous 15 games while becoming the first player age 36 or older to notch 30 points. All other players in NBA history have combined for two such as performances (Larry Bird and Kobe Bryant). James is also the first Lakers player since Bryant in 2013 to tally at least 30 points in five straight games.
The 17-time All-Star has fully embraced and excelled with the increased offensive workload as he’s averaging a team-best 27.6 points on 52.0% shooting from the floor and 35.3% from 3-point range. It’s certainly a lot to ask for from a player nearing two decades in the league, but it hasn’t seen him stumble or lose a step due to the heavy usage while playing 37.1 minutes per contest.
His play underlines the all-time talent he is that continues to shatter all expectations for a player in their 19th season. James isn’t showing any sign of slowing down, which the Lakers will need every bit of to navigate forward.
Lakers need offensive balance around LeBron James
As incredible as it is to see James produce at an elite level in his 19th season, it further emphasizes the importance of the play of his teammates.
The 36-year-old will shoulder the bulk of the workload, but the Lakers need the rest of their roster to pick up the slack. Granted, Los Angeles played a young and inexperienced Rockets team; they still showed some promising signs behind their collective offensive effort.
Russell Westbrook put forth an encouraging outing, recording his seventh triple-double of the season behind 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Westbrook responded with a strong performance a day after his play became heavily scrutinized. Beyond that, the offensive balance with five players in double figures is what Los Angeles needs.
There will not be many nights where the team will have that high collective scoring production. However, it’s the balanced output the team needs not to wear out James over the course of the season.
The Lakers have shown they can provide that; it’s just a matter of doing it consistently.
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