Is LeBron’s unbeatable record likely to be interrupted? The 65-game rule has become the veteran’s fatal weakness

It wasn’t until the middle of the third quarter of the Lakers-Jazz game that LeBron James—who had already become the first player in NBA history to wear a jersey for his 23rd season—finally maintained another historic streak.

At that moment, James stood on the right side near the Crypto.com Arena logo and passed the ball to Luka Doncic on the left perimeter. As soon as the ball left his hand, Austin Reeves immediately lifted up from the penalty area and provided a back screen for Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen who was guarding James. It was this combination that allowed James to smoothly cut to the basket, back up the much smaller Keonte George, receive a pass from Doncic, and get an easy layup—while also continuing history.

That was James' sixth shot of the game and his third hit. More importantly, this brought his personal score to 11 points, ensuring that his consecutive double-digit scoring record spanning nearly 18 years and accumulating 1,294 games can continue to extend forward.

On the same day, James' season debut in Utah may also help him maintain another more prominent record, a record that better reflects his lasting greatness. However, this record is now in jeopardy, and the reason is not necessarily due to James' own decline.

James has been selected to the NBA All-NBA Team for 21 consecutive seasons, the only one in history. The first time he was selected was in the second season of his career. During this period, the White House has had four owners. His dominance is also demonstrated in this honor: he was selected to the All-NBA First Team 13 times, almost as many times as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Duncan and Kobe were selected to the NBA All-NBA Team (including first-team, second-team, and third-team) respectively-all three of them were 15 times.

Since James was first selected to the All-NBA Team, the trophy issued by the league to commemorate this honor has changed from a nameplate to a small crystal basketball trophy, and then upgraded to a larger crystal basketball medal. Even the voting rules have changed: in the past, it was two guards, two forwards and one center. Now it is determined by the total number of votes, no longer distinguishing positions.

Looking back at the past, it took too long for LeBron to be selected for the All-NBA Team. For a long time, in order to deal with the situation of star players taking turns and fans losing interest in the regular season due to "load management", the league had to modify the award qualifications - now you must play at least 65 games to be eligible to participate in the selection of regular season awards such as the best team.

This new rule is the biggest obstacle for James to continue his record this season.

This Tuesday's match against the Clippers of the same city is the Lakers' 17th game this season. This means that they have exactly 65 games left in the regular season. James missed the first 14 games due to a sciatic nerve problem and did not make his season debut until the last game.

In other words: From now to the end of the regular season on April 12, James can only sit out three more games at most to maintain his qualifications for the best team selection. On the Lakers schedule, there are still 11 groups of back-to-back games.

James' long-term friend and agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, admitted to ESPN that he had never discussed the possibility of the best team this season with James. But if it were up to him, he would advise James to give up on his own initiative.

"Listen, at the age of 41, I really don't want him to play back-to-backs," Paul said, "But on the other hand, if he still wants to hit the best team...then he can't miss too many more games."

Although there are occasionally teams that restrict players from playing back-to-backs due to their injury history - such as the Clippers against Leonard and the 76ers against Joel Embiid - it is really rare to do so purely because of age. Last month, the Warriors canceled back-to-back arrangements for 39-year-old center Al Horford. Coach Steve Kerr made it clear in the preseason that Horford would not play both games.

But it is difficult to imagine that James would accept a similar arrangement. Last season, when he played back-to-back games against the Timberwolves and Clippers in the middle of his 22nd season of his career, playing a total of 74 minutes, he once talked about his professional credo: "I have always felt that as a team leader and as a person who is relied on, staying present is the key. You have to allow your teammates to be able to I can count on it. I know that the season is difficult, and it is not easy every year. With so many games, no one can predict how the schedule will be arranged. "

People who know his thoughts revealed to ESPN that James takes this sense of responsibility very seriously.

At the beginning of last season, he had determined to play all 82 games - in his entire career, he only did it once in the 2017-18 season. This goal of becoming the emperor persisted for 23 games. When the Lakers entered a relatively easy schedule in mid-December, James missed two consecutive games and was able to rest for eight days to allow his sore feet to recover. During that time, James was allowed to leave the team temporarily due to what coach J.J. Redick said was "personal reasons."

Redick previously participated in the All-NBA Team voting when he was working at ESPN. He listed James on his third-team ballot. He is well aware of the weight of these honors.

"In terms of historical status, the All-Star team is probably a harder indicator than the All-Stars," Redick said. "If you look at the probability of being selected for the Hall of Fame, generally speaking, the more times the All-Star team is played, the greater the chance. Eight or nine All-Star appearances are not necessarily enough. There are still several All-Star regulars who have not made it, so this honor is very important."

Redick said that in all the conversations he had with James during the offseason, no one ever mentioned "keeping up." However, he has his own opinion on James's 22nd consecutive selection.

"I don't think whether he is selected this year will change his historical status," said Redick.

What can really add to James' resume is to win another championship and bring the total number of rings to five. From now to mid-April, giving him a few games in a timely manner will help reserve strength for the deep rounds of the playoffs that the Lakers are looking forward to..

But on the other hand, if James feels that this may be his last season, then he may feel more obliged to play every game well and turn this into a veritable "retirement tour." However, sources close to LeBron say the Emperor has not yet made a real decision on whether he will announce his retirement after the season.

Redick said that whether James will play in each game will be decided through consultation between himself, Redick, James' long-term trainer Mike Mancias, and the Lakers' director of player performance and health, Dr. Leroy Sims.

To play 65 of the last 68 games, for the 41-year-old James, it is almost a miracle. And to continue to play at the level of the top fifteen players in the league in these games is a miracle among miracles.

(Text/Kong Yang)