The midseason break for NBA All-Star Weekend always offers an excellent opportunity to reflect and take stock of how things have gone in any given year. This means it is an excellent time to revisit how silly the conversations have been about LeBron James throughout certain points of the 2024-25 NBA season.
James got off to a slow start this season, causing some to immediately hit the panic button and start the discussion of whether Father Time had finally caught up to one of the greatest players to ever step onto an NBA court. In February, the obvious answer about whether James is 'washed' would be a resounding no.
LeBron continues to be an ageless wonder
Heading into December, LeBron was averaging 22.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game through the first 19 games of the season. Apparently, that was enough to start questioning his ability to deliver at his old age.
It feels odd to need to explain this, but older players typically take a while to get their legs under them throughout the duration of a long NBA season. There is also the argument to take things slow and conserve for the NBA Playoffs, in the case of someone like LeBron, who has logged the incredible amount of minutes that he has throughout his career. For those unaware, James leads all players in NBA history in terms of minutes played both during the regular season and the playoffs.
From Dec. 1 onwards, the four-time champion has averaged an impressive 25.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 8.9 assists, and 1.0 steal per game. James has also been incredibly efficient during that span. The NBA's all-time leading scorer posted a 52.6 field goal percentage and 39.9 3-point percentage.
James was really hitting his stride before the NBA took a break for All-Star Weekend. In a smaller five-game sample size from February, the four-time Finals MVP has averaged 28.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 8.8 assists, while posting a ridiculous 66.4 true shooting percentage.
LeBron has been so great that the latest edition of the KIA NBA MVP Ladder had the 40-year-old superstar jumping into the conversation at the 6th spot. While no one will sit here and claim that award is going to be his by year's end. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic have been far too dominant to not have that be a two-man race for the remainder of the 2024-25 season. However, it serves as a great example of just how elite James remains.
The Los Angeles Lakers are occupying the 5th seed in the Western Conference, only three games back of second, at the time of NBA All-Star Weekend. LeBron has been a big factor of their team success with the reliable 24-8-9 he provides on a nightly basis.
The 2024-25 NBA season continues to serve as a reminder of just how special it is to watch the Akron Hammer play basketball.