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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

At the age of 28, LeBron James not only led the Los Angeles Lakers to victory in the In-Season Tournament but also clinched the MVP honors. He’s still enjoying the game in his 21st season. Despite maintaining an impressive average of nearly 25 points per game, he continues to build over his all-time scoring title. When looking at a different perspective, even with a nightly score of 25 points, he’s establishing a new record. The previous highest scoring average for a player in their 21st season was 7.1 points per game. While the record may suggest his elder status, it is still an extraordinary feat to achieve.

In a recent game against the Dallas Mavericks, LeBron James added another milestone to his star-studded career on the all-time list. Once again, this accomplishment underscored the substantial time and years he has dedicated to the league.

LeBron James becomes the 2nd player with most minutes played

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In the game against the Dallas Mavericks, LeBron James delivered 30 points with an impressive 50% shooting accuracy. Additionally, he grabbed 7 rebounds and dished 9 assists, all while playing a whopping 39 minutes. As James went through the long night, he reached a significant milestone during the game. With 54,854 minutes, James surpassed Karl Malone on the all-time minutes recorded list. The accomplishment came in the third quarter of the game. With Malone now relegated to the third spot, James will set his sights on the next milestone, targeting Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at 57,446 minutes.

The gap between Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James in terms of minutes is 2592. Presently, James maintains an average of approximately 33 minutes per game. At this rate, it would take him 78 games to surpass Jabbar’s record. With the season already 24 games deep, this achievement is likely to occur in the early stages of the next season.

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However, if the Lakers follow a typical playoff trajectory and make it to the finals, there’s a high probability that James will secure the top spot in the all-time minutes category within the 2023 edition itself.

James’ best friend compares him to Malone in a unique take

LeBron James’ early entry into the league was facilitated by his remarkable athleticism, setting him apart from the majority. Even as the oldest player in the league, his enduring athleticism continues to give him a competitive edge. According to his best friend and agent, Rich Paul, James would have still made a significant impact on the league, even without relying on his athleticism. Furthermore, in an interview, Rich states that he thinks James would be Karl Malone without his athleticism.

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Karl Malone wasn’t known for playing to the crowds, however, he holds the third position in the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Moreover, he used to overpower and wear down opponents through sheer strength; something LeBron can certainly do.