17 hours Ago By Billy Heyen
LeBron James didn't make an All-NBA team following his rookie season of 2003-2004. Every season since, he's made All-NBA, 20 years in a row. But this time around, his chances are in serious peril.
James' groin injury that he sustained Saturday night came in his 58th game played this season. The NBA's new rule before last season requires players to take part in 65 games to be eligible for postseason honors. MORE: LeBron injury, Luka struggles key takeaways for Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers have 20 regular season games left, beginning with Monday's game against the Nets.
James will have to play in seven of them. If we assume the worst as it relates to this scenario, that James is out for the Lakers' next 13 games, he would have to return April 3 and then play in seven consecutive games to end the regular season to reach 65. Of course, James would likely have a better chance if he didn't miss the next 13, because then he could have a game or two for rest in there and still reach 65 games played.
If he gets to that mark, he'll likely make All-NBA both as a practically automatic selection and for his crazy stats at age 40: 25.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 8.
5 assists per game. LeBron already holds the record, by far, for most All-NBA selections in league history. Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are tied for second on the list with 15 apiece.
MORE: Bronny James throws down a highlight dunk Jayson Tatum shows off highlight of son Deuce.
