‘Timeless’ LeBron shows no signs of slowing down in 16th season
MIAMI — LeBron James stopped worrying about his place in history long ago. His legacy has been secure for years.
The argument about where he ranks, whether or not he’s the best player to ever step on a basketball court, will continue forever and there will never be a definitive answer.
That is, unless he keeps doing things like this.
In his 16th season, the 33-year-old James still makes the game look absurdly easy.
The latest entry on the long list of his unforgettable nights came on Sunday, when James scored 51 points and led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 113-97 win over the Miami Heat.
He’s only the second player to score at least 50 in a game this deep into an NBA career; the other is Kobe Bryant, in his final game, and that was aided by 50 shot attempts.
“I’ve always been a guy to let the game talk for itself, speak for itself,” James said. “My body of work speaks for itself, still to this day, 16 years in.”
He paused for a second, breaking into a big smile before adding:
“If there’s ever a discussion, games like this will make sure you figure it out.”
Bryant had gone more than seven years without a 50-point game before April 13, 2016, when he went 22-for50 and scored 60 points at Staples Center as the Lakers faithful roared for his work one final time.
James hadn’t gone six months since his last 50-point night; it was Game 1 of last season’s NBA Finals, the one where JR Smith forgot the score in the final seconds, dribbling out when he should have shot or passed, as Cleveland lost to Golden State on the way to a sweep.
James was methodical on Sunday; he was 19 for 31 from the field, 6 for 8 from 3-point range, getting to 51 points on a deep 3-pointer in the final seconds with the outcome already long decided.
“That’s all coaching,” Lakers coach Luke Walton joked. “Just great coaching. No, the way he sees the game, he knows what he’s doing out there.”
Through 16 games, there’s nothing to suggest that James is going to slow down this season or anytime soon. He’s averaging 28.8 points on 52 percent shooting, with 7.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game.
No one in NBA history has ever averaged that many points in a 16th season or later. Bryant is the only player to average more than 25 points this deep into a career; he averaged 27.9 points in 2011-12, 27.3 points in 2012-13.
But it’s not just the scoring. Only legendary point guards Steve Nash, John Stockton and Jason Kidd averaged so many assists at this point in their careers.
“He’s the best player in the world,” Lakers guard Lonzo
Ball said.
Fellow Laker Kyle Kuzma later added: “He could average 40 if he wanted.”
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who had James for four seasons in Miami, describes James’ game in one word: “Timeless.”
“Doesn’t matter what year, doesn’t matter how old,” Spoelstra said. “Consistency is as much of a talent as any physical or mental talent. He’s five-star in all of those.”
James hasn’t won an MVP award in the past five seasons. For as good as he’s been, for as long as he’s been that good, it’s hard to believe that his first 15 seasons only resulted in him winning that award four times. He should be in the conversation again this year.
“I just go out and my love for the game keeps me going,” James said.
“My ability to put in the work, and see what happens after that. I know if I put in the work and be true to the game, then everything else will take care of itself.”
My body of work speaks for itself, still to this day, 16 years in.”
LeBron James, on his credentials in the ‘greatest of all time’ debate