Lakers wisely prioritizing winning over LeBron James matching Michael Jordan

LeBron James has been the epitome of metronomic during his legendary NBA career. From game to game, season to season, and decade to decade, fans have known exactly what to expect of the Los Angeles Lakers superstar.

As James' age-40 season takes a tumultuous turn, however, even his most ardent of supporters have begun to question if the epitome of consistency should rethink his approach.

James continues to set the standard for longevity, averaging 22.0 points, 9.1 assists, and 8.0 rebounds per game at 39 years of age and in his 22nd season. Ever since his 31-point eruption against the Orlando Magic, however, he's hit something of a wall.

James has scored fewer than 20 points in five of the past six games, shooting below 45 percent every time out—the longest streak of his career.

That came to a head on Monday, Dec. 2 when James scored 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting during a 109-80 decimation at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves. He air-balled an open shot, missed countless attempts fans have seen him make hundreds of times over, and committed six turnovers to four assists.

Following one of the worst performances of his storied career, the question inevitably beckoned: Can James realistically play the 82 games he hopes to?

LeBron James, Lakers rethinking 82-game plan?

James turned heads in late October when he told reporters that he intends to play in all 82 games this season. It was a clear, albeit indirect nod to Michael Jordan, who played in 82 games during his age-40 season in 2002-03.

According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Lakers head coach JJ Redick isn't as committed to James' goal of playing all 82 games as he once was.

"I don't know that's in the best interest of him and us if he does that, but if he's feeling well and feeling good, then he should play," Redick said after James tied a season low with 10 points on 4-of-16 shooting from the field in L.A.'s 109-80 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. "But we obviously want to ... manage that as best we can."

It wasn't a firm proclamation that James would sit at least one game this season, but it's a promising display of logic by Redick and the Lakers.

It would be an incredible feat for James to join Jordan in playing all 82 regular season games at 40 years of age. Although the Lakers need the four-time MVP as often as possible, one simply can't help but spot the flaw in the approach if his current run of form continues.

Los Angeles not only needs James on the court, but will only win with him playing at the highest level he can—and it's fair to question if a soon-to-be 40-year-old forward can achieve that feat without rest.

Some will lose their heads in the endless James versus Jordan debate, but the Lakers should only care about one thing: The team. When James has been on his game, Los Angeles has been one of the best teams in the Association this season.

For instance: The Lakers are 8-4 when James scores at least 20 points in 2024-25, but fall to 4-5 when he fails to reach that plateau.

Los Angeles is also 5-6 when James commits at least five turnovers and 7-3 when he doesn't. Taking it a step further, the purple and gold is 9-2 when James has upwards of 10 assists and a mere 3-7 when he fails to reach that figure.

For as much of a feather in his cap as it would be for James to play all 82 games, the numbers paint a simple picture: When he's at his best, the Lakers are bordering on unstoppable. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case as of late—and his 10 games with five-plus turnovers and nine with fewer than 20 points reveal that it's not as much of a recent issue as it seems.

One simply can't help but consider Father Time when evaluating how to maximize the superhuman longevity of James against the legacy-building achievement of an 82-game season.