USA Today via Reuters
Feb 12, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 12, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates in the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Los Angeles Lakers have had a lot of injury troubles so far. Important players like Anthony Davis, Dennis Schroder, and Alex Caruso have spent multiple games on the sidelines. Because of this, LeBron James has had to take additional responsibility and play more minutes than he would have thought.
The Lakers star is currently averaging 34.6 minutes per game this season, a number which one would have expected to see fall since last season. He has played a total of 1,245 minutes, which is the seventh highest in the league. Plus, he is the only player 31 or above in the top 15.
USA Today via Reuters
Jan 25, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
In Year 18 of his career, LeBron is not ready to take any rest. He played every single game of the Lakers regular season so far, bar the last game before the All-Star break against the Kings.
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He deserves a rest as well, and he ensured his game off came against a team below .500. However, the Lakers were still not able to win, showing his importance to their success.
LeBron James trailing only two Hall of Famers in all-time minutes played
Since his debut, every team he has been on, LeBron has been their best player. That puts the pressure on him to play the most minutes, a challenge he accepts with open arms.
He is one of the most athletic players of all-time, and his conditioning is second to none. He takes care of his body well, which is why he is still the best player in the league when he is in the groove.
An updated @KingJames minutes stat: having played the 7th most minutes of any player this season, he is up to 60,607 combined regular season and playoff minutes.
That trails only @kaj33 (66,297) and Karl Malone (62,759). Kobe is 4th with 56,882.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 5, 2021
So with all these years of playing the most minutes on his teams, LeBron has a total of 60,607 minutes played. It includes both the regular season and the playoffs.
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He is only behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who has 66,297 and Karl Malone who played 62,759 minutes. Standing in fourth just behind LeBron is late legend Kobe Bryant with 56,882 minutes.
If LeBron plays for three more seasons in the league, he can end his career atop this list easily.
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 20, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) during the closing second of the Lakers 96-94 loss to the Miami Heat at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
LeBron and the Lakers have had a rocky start to the season. Heading into All-Star break, they are fourth and need a lot of improvement. They also need AD to return soon, and then they can return to being the best team in the league.
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