Los Angeles Lakers: Best seasons in franchise history by 35 and over players

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after winning the 2020 NBA Championship over the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after winning the 2020 NBA Championship over the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 11, 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

LeBron James’ title-winning season

  • 2019-20 season (age 35)

Of course, we have to put LeBron James on this list. In terms of win shares, LeBron’s 2019-20 season was the sixth-highest in franchise history for a player that was 35 years or older. His 2020-21 season was not as high but was still fairly impressive, clocking in at 11th in franchise history.

LeBron was obviously not fully himself last season and had to deal with short rest and an injury. While his workload is going to be less this season, it would not be surprising to see him have an incredibly efficient season that is even better than his 2019-20 season with the team.

Sure, it defies everything we know about father time but thus far all LeBron has done is defy father time, so would it really be that much of a surprise?

LeBron was named the NBA Finals MVP for his efforts in the 2020 NBA Finals even though Anthony Davis had a better overall playoff. As far as the regular season goes, LeBron led the league in assist for the first time in his career and was picking up steam in the MVP discussion.

The award would ultimately go to Giannis Antetokounmpo after the season was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic but LeBron had all of the momentum. The Lakers were coming off two huge wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Clippers and LeBron was starting to play the best basketball of the season.

LeBron finished the campaign averaging 25.3 points, 10.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game. He joined Oscar Robertson, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Tiny Archibald and Michael Adams as the only players in NBA history to average 25 points and 10 assists in a season.

Will LeBron James add another season to this list? We are just going to have to wait and see.