The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
James’ excellence is so easy to take for granted
If you’re a stats geek and get bored, take a few minutes and check out the career statistics of LeBron James.
It’s remarkable.
Fans probably don’t do it very often. The reason is simple: It’s been pretty much the same stat line every year since James’ second season in the NBA — 2004-05 with the Cavaliers when he was 20.
As a 19-year-old in 2003-04, James averaged 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists in what was the only season of his career he played on a losing team. The Cavaliers were 35-47.
Since then, it’s been an incredible display of consistency — somewhere between 25 and 30 points per game with seven rebounds and seven assists. It’s been so consistent that even the most rabid James fan has to be guilty of this at least a few times the last 13 seasons — taking what he does on a regular basis for granted.
It’s not fair to James, who takes his share of criticism, yours truly included. Some argue that comes with greatness, but that’s probably what fuels so much of the public perception of James.
He’s a great basketball player, and everyone knows it. He’s averaging 27.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.0 assists for his career. Ho hum, right? He’s LeBron James. That’s what LeBron James is supposed do when he steps onto a basketball court. Considering his talent, there’s some truth to that.
However, 99 percent of basketball players can’t do what James does on a regular basis.
Taking a step back from all of that clears the air, and sheds light on what greatness is all about.
A reminder is never a bad thing. Here you go, starting with arguably the most impressive thing about James’ career:
• He’s just 32 years old. If he stays healthy, James could play well into his late 30s.
• He’s scored 40 points in a game 62 times.
• James is one of five players to score 40 points in back-to-back Finals games. He did it in Games 5 and 6 of last year’s Finals. The others on that list are Jerry West, Rick Barry, Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal. That’s a pretty good group.
• Arguably the best 40-point game of James’ career was May 31, 2007 vs. the Pistons in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals. He scored 48 points, including the last 25 for the Cavaliers, in a 109-107 win. They closed out the series a game later to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.
• James also has seven 40-point games in the NBA Finals.
• Games of 50 points or more? There have been 10, which ranks No. 7 all-time.
• James’ highest-scoring game is 61 points as a Cavalier vs. the Charlotte Bobcats on March 3, 2014. He was 22 of 33 from the field, 8 of 10 from 3-point range, and made 9 of 12 free throws.
• He’s averaged at 25 points per game for the last 12 seasons.
• In the 2009 NBA playoffs with the Cavaliers, he averaged 35.3 points in 14 games.
• He’s won four MVP awards, plus three more Finals MVP awards.
• James is the only player to rank in the top 10 in points, rebounds and assists in NBA playoff history.
• His nine seasons of at least 2,000 points is tied for No. 3 all-time.
• Except for his rookie season, James has shot at 50 percent from the field every year.
• For his career, he’s averaged 38.9 minutes played per game.
• If the Cavaliers reach the NBA Finals, it will mark the seventh straight season James has played in it.
There’s more to drive the point home, but the point is always this: Just don’t take James for granted.
Contact Podolski at MPodolski@News-Herald. com; On Twitter: @mpodo