Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Lakers’ LeBron James Will Reach Major Career Milestone This Year

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Ashish Mathur | Last updated 10/5/23

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James needs 394 more defensive rebounds to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for 10th place on the NBA’s all-time defensive rebounds list. Abdul-Jabbar grabbed 9,394 defensive rebounds during his legendary career. LeBron enters this season with 9,001 defensive rebounds.

LeBron, who passed Abdul-Jabbar on the NBA’s all-time scoring list last season, is looking like himself again after recovering from his foot injury this offseason. The NBA legend, who suffered a torn tendon in his right foot last season, is 100% healthy again.

Darvin Ham on if LeBron James has regained his athleticism and burst after recovering from his foot injury: “Without question.”
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) October 4, 2023

LeBron missed 13 straight games from late February until late March. The Chosen One didn’t require offseason surgery and is feeling really good.

LeBron signed a two-year extension with the Lakers last offseason. He has a player option for the 2024-25 season. The future Hall of Famer averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists last season. LeBron put up 24.5 points, 9.9 boards and 6.5 assists per game in the 2023 playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Denver Nuggets. The Akron native was still one of the best players in the world despite being 38 years old.

LeBron is averaging 27.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists in 278 games with the Lakers. He guided the franchise to the 2020 championship over the Miami Heat in six games at the Walt Disney World bubble in Orlando, Florida. LeBron is wearing No. 23 again this season after ditching No. 6 to honor the late great Bill Russell.

A 19-time All-Star, LeBron is first in NBA history in points, fourth in assists, ninth in steals, fourth in triple-doubles, third in player efficiency rating, sixth in points per game and second in win shares. He is the only player ever with at least 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 assists.

LeBron is also the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in both points and assists. LBJ has career averages of 27.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Heat and Lakers. LeBron is the sole player in NBA history to win three Finals MVPs with three different teams.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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