LeBron James: Is his historic All-NBA streak at risk? Analysis and challenges

LeBron James and the Challenge of Maintaining His Historic Streak

In the middle of the third quarter of the November 18th game, LeBron James, already the first player in history to play a season number 23, ensured he would maintain another historic streak. The Lakers star, from the right side of the court near the Crypto.com Arena logo, passed the ball to Luka Doncic, who was on the periphery to his left. Reaves moved from the paint towards the three-point line to block Lauri Markkanen, who was defending James. This play freed James to advance towards the basket, receive a pass from Doncic, and score a layup, keeping his scoring streak alive. It was James’ sixth shot of the game and the third to be made. The most important thing was that he scored 11 points, ensuring that his streak of scoring in double digits, which he has maintained for 1,294 games over almost 18 years, would continue. His season debut in Utah helped him maintain an even more prestigious, though less commented upon, streak that defines his continued greatness. James has been selected to an All-NBA team 21 consecutive times, a record. He surpasses everyone else in this category, also holds the record for most All-NBA First Team selections with 13, almost matching Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant, who each have 15. The league has modified the requirements to obtain a position in the All-NBA, demanding to play at least 65 games to be eligible. This represents the biggest challenge for James this season. On Tuesday, against the Clippers, the Lakers played their 17th game of the season, with 65 games remaining. James made his debut after missing the first 14 games due to sciatica. This means that, until the end of the regular season on April 12, James can only miss three games to remain eligible for All-NBA. The Lakers have 11 consecutive games remaining on the schedule. James’ friend and agent, Rich Paul, of Klutch Sports, said he has not discussed James’ All-NBA prospects this season. Paul would prefer that James not play back-to-back games.

“At 41, I hope he doesn’t play back-to-backs. But at the same time, for him to be able to make All-NBA team and things like that… he can’t miss too many more games.”

Rich Paul

While some teams have excluded players from consecutive games due to their injury history, such as the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard, or the 76ers and Joel Embiid, it’s less common for a team to do so simply because of age. Last month, the Warriors made the decision not to include 39-year-old Al Horford in consecutive games, with coach Steve Kerr announcing in the preseason that Horford would not play in both matches. However, it’s hard to imagine James accepting a similar arrangement. Last season, after completing a back-to-back playing 74 minutes against the Timberwolves and Clippers in his twenty-second year in the league, James spoke about his professional philosophy.

“I’ve always thought that to be a leader of a team and someone who is trusted, your availability is key. Being available for your teammates. I know it’s a difficult season. There are difficult seasons every year. And many games affect us. You never know how the schedule is going to turn out. But I try to be available as much as I can.”

LeBron James

James takes this responsibility very seriously. Last season, his intention was to play all 82 games, something he had only achieved once in his career, in 2017-18. That goal lasted 23 games. J.J. Redick, who voted for the All-NBA teams in 2023-24, recognizes its importance.

“Historically, at least, it’s probably a higher designation than being an All-Star. I think, if you look at the Hall of Fame tracking, typically, obviously it’s changing, more and more players are getting in now, but typically, the more All-NBA awards you have, the greater your chances will be, compared to having eight All-Star appearances [for example]”.

J.J. Redick

Redick said that in all of his offseason conversations with James, James’s desire to maintain his All-NBA streak “never came up”. Redick believes that an All-NBA appearance this year will not define his resume. What could improve James’ resume would be another championship, which would raise his total to five. Giving James a rest from time to time, from now until mid-April, would help preserve his legs for what the Lakers hope will be a deep playoff run.

If James believes this could be his last season, something that sources close to James insist is not yet decided, he could feel even more responsibility to play in every game than he would on a farewell tour. James’s availability will be determined by a group that includes James, Redick, James’s athletic trainer, Mike Mancias, and Dr. Leroy Sims, the Lakers’ director of performance and health.

That James playing in 65 of the last 68 Lakers games would be remarkable. That he plays well enough in those games to still be considered one of the top 15 players in the NBA, at 41 years old, would be even more so.