LeBron James Surpasses Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Minutes Record
LeBron James achieved another milestone in his illustrious NBA career, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most minutes played in NBA history, encompassing both regular season and postseason games.
This significant feat was reached during the Lakers’ 138-94 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, as James logged a total of 66,318 career minutes, just edging past Abdul-Jabbar’s 66,297 minutes. It’s important to note that this total accounts for both regular season and playoff minutes, whereas the official record, similar to the all-time scoring record that James also holds, only includes regular-season minutes.
Among regular-season minutes, James currently stands in third place, having played 54,664 minutes as of Monday, trailing Karl Malone (54,852) and Abdul-Jabbar (57,446).
Considering the intense workload, particularly the 11,654 minutes he’s accumulated in postseason play, it’s remarkable to grasp the toll this level of play takes, both mentally and physically, especially against elite competition during playoff runs.
James’ ability to maintain exceptional performance even at nearly 39 years old is becoming increasingly unfathomable. Despite his meticulous attention to physical and mental well-being, incorporating strategic changes in his game to mitigate the toll, and relatively fortunate luck with injuries, his sustained statistical dominance is extraordinary.
Entering his 21st season, James continues to average over 25 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, a feat matched only by Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. Impressively, James boasts superior shooting percentages compared to both players.
While some aspects of his exceptional performance can be rationalized, the entirety of his accomplishments transcends mere explanation, inviting appreciation and awe beyond imagination.
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