Los Angeles Lakers: 3 bold predictions for LeBron James in 2020-21

By Jason Reed | Dec 14, 2020

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 04: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after being fouled while shooting during the second half against the Miami Heat in Game Three of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 04, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James /

2. LeBron James does not get named to the All-NBA First Team

LeBron James has only not been named to the All-NBA First Team four times in his career. He was named to the Third Team in 2018 when he played the fewest minutes of his career and was named to the second team in both 2005 and 2007.

He did not get named to any All-NBA team in his rookie season, even if he might have deserved it after a really solid rookie year that lived up to the hype.

Because of his reduced role in 2021 as well as the emergence (and return) of other players, I think that LeBron will not get that First Team nod and is likely to get the third Second Team nod of his career.

Personally, if I had to craft my 2021 All-NBA team right now I would include Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic and James Harden/Stephen Curry. Yes, I know, Harden is disgruntled but he still puts up massive numbers.

You could make the case for LeBron getting in as a guard but I just don’t think it is going to happen with the reduced workload. I think he will man the Second Team as a forward alongside Curry/Harden, Damian Lilliard, Jayson Tatum and Nikola Jokic.