LeBron James: Is his historic All-NBA streak at risk due to injuries?

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, made sure to keep another of his impressive streaks intact. James, located on the right wing near the Crypto.com Arena logo, passed the ball to Luka Doncic, who was on the three-point line to his left. Reaves came out of the paint to block Lauri Markkanen, who was defending the Lakers star. This action freed James to advance towards the basket, receive a pass from Doncic, and score a layup, thus maintaining his historic streak. This was James’ sixth shot of the game, and the third he made. Most importantly, it raised his point total to 11, ensuring his double-digit scoring streak, which he has maintained for 1,294 games in almost 18 years, would continue. Furthermore, his season debut in Utah helped him maintain an even more prestigious, though less discussed, streak that encapsulates his enduring greatness. James has been named to an All-NBA team for 21 consecutive seasons, receiving his first selection after his second season. He dominates this category, holding the record for most selections to the All-NBA First Team with 13, almost equaling Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Duncan, and Kobe Bryant, who are tied at 15. The league, to counteract the decline in fan interest in the regular season due to the absence of players due to load management, changed the requirements for obtaining a spot in the All-NBA, requiring playing at least 65 games to be eligible. This presents the biggest challenge for James this season. On Tuesday, against the LA Clippers, the Lakers played their 17th game of the season, which means they have exactly 65 games left. James made his debut after missing the first 14 games due to sciatica, a nerve problem that affected his lower back and the right side of his body. This means that, from now until the end of the Lakers’ regular season on April 12, James can only miss three games to remain eligible for All-NBA. The Lakers have 11 remaining back-to-back games on the schedule. James’ friend and agent, Rich Paul, said that he has not discussed James’ prospects for All-NBA this season.

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

Rich Paul

While there have been instances of teams excluding players from back-to-backs due to their injury history, such as the Clippers with Kawhi Leonard and the 76ers with Joel Embiid, it’s less common for a team to do so simply because of age. Last month, the Golden State Warriors eliminated back-to-backs for 39-year-old Al Horford, with coach Steve Kerr announcing that Horford simply wouldn’t play both games. But it’s hard to imagine James accepting a similar arrangement. Last season, after completing a back-to-back playing 74 minutes against the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Clippers in his 22nd season in the league, James talked 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. And I know it’s a difficult season. There are difficult seasons every year. And many games hit 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

It’s a responsibility that James takes seriously. He entered last season with the intention of playing all 82 games, something he had only done once in his career, in 2017-18. That goal lasted 23 games. In mid-December, James missed two consecutive games and took eight days off to recover from foot discomfort. Redick acknowledged 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, normally, obviously, it’s changing, more and more players are getting in now, but normally the more All-NBA awards you have, the greater your chances will be, compared to having eight All-Star appearances [for example].

JJ Redick

Redick said that in all of his preseason conversations with James, James’s desire to maintain his All-NBA streak “never came up”. However, Redick has his own opinion on any possible pursuit of a 22nd consecutive selection of James for the All-NBA.

I don’t think an All-NBA appearance this year will make or break his resume.

JJ Redick

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. At the same time, if James believes this could be his last season, something about which sources close to James insist he remains undecided, he could feel even more responsibility to play in every game in what would be a farewell tour. For James to play in 65 of the last 68 Lakers games would be remarkable. To play well enough in those games to still be considered one of the top 15 players in the NBA, at age 41, would be even more so.