LeBron James
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LeBron James saw a 21-year record end this week.
LeBron James experienced one of his lowest points with the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, and two coaches didn’t go to bat for him afterward.
That’s after James missed his 18th game this season during the Lakers’ 136-108 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. It ended James’ record 21-year run of All-NBA honors due to a league rule where a player must play in at least 65 games to receive regular season awards.
Neither Lakers head coach J.J. Redick nor Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson critiqued the rule after Tuesday’s game despite James’ legendary career. James has won awards before in seasons where he played only 45 games because of injury before the current rule went into place in 2023-2024.
“I think it’s fine to have some sort of guidance for voters,” Redicktold reporters afterward. “I know the first year that I voted, there were a bunch of guys that were in like that 54-to-56-game range.”
James has been durable throughout this career, but he has played 65 or fewer games in five of his 23 seasons, not including the COVID-interrupted one. He has played in 35 games this year, but the 18 missed games makes it impossible to reach 65.
“I think the intention behind the rule makes sense,” Johnsontold reporters afterward. “Try to incentivize and motivate players to play.”
Mitch Johnson Elaborates on 65-Game Rule
NBA players once played 82 games if healthy enough, but teams sitting players to save for the playoffs has been an issue in recent years.
“Playing games in this league over 82 games of just regular-season games is a lot, and it’s tough and there’s a lot of bumps and bruises and four-letter-word things that people play through,” Johnson acknowledged.“And I think that’s a skill and that’s a demand that these guys push through mentally, physically and emotionally, and I understand the intention of it.”
“The details if 65 games is the right number people should be ineligible for certain awards [if they do not reach it], I honestly haven’t given it much thought. I think it obviously stinks for guys who have really great years,” Johnson continued.
By James’ standards, he is below his career averages of 26.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game. James only has 21.8 points, 5.7 boards, and 6.9 assists per game this season, but those numbers are considered quality by general NBA standards.
LeBron James Showing More Dismay
James didn’t play on Tuesday because of the second night of back to back games amid his left foot arthritis.
He played in Monday’s loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which left a bad taste in his mouth in a different way. The defending NBA champion Thunder beat the Lakers 119-110 at the Staples Center.
“That’s a championship team right there. We’re not,” Jamestold reporters afterward. “We can’t sustain energy and effort for 48 minutes, and they can. That’s why they won the championship.”
The Lakers had a hot start this season, but have fallen back to the pack in the Western Conference. It’s widely speculated that this will be James’ final season with the Lakers and that he will pursue another team in free agency after the season.