With an average of 22 points per game, it is almost certain that LeBron James' historic streak of 20 consecutive years will be broken

LeBron James: The End of an Era as His 20-Year Streak Nears Its End

LeBron James is the face of the NBA and one of the most legendary figures in basketball history. As a superstar, LeBron has been at the peak of the game since the moment he entered the league. Even in high school, his games were broadcast nationwide, and when he entered the NBA, he was already a sensation. His sky-high athleticism led many to jokingly claim that he would slow down after turning 30, but he maintained an elite level of performance for 20 years. From the age of 18 to 39, LeBron has consistently been at the top of his game.

However, in the new season, the once-unstoppable LeBron has shown signs of decline, averaging just 22 points per game. It is now almost certain that his historic streak of 20 consecutive seasons of averaging 25 points or more will be broken.

LeBron’s impact was clear from his rookie season, when he was already the leader of the Cleveland Cavaliers, posting an impressive 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. From his second year onward, LeBron's progress accelerated, especially in scoring. In his second season, he averaged 27.2 points, then 31.4 points in his third, and by his fifth season, he was averaging 30 points per game, eventually winning the scoring title. After joining the Miami Heat, LeBron's consistency remained remarkable, averaging 26.7, 27.1, 26.8, and 27.1 points over four years. When he returned to the Cavaliers in 2014, he was already in his 30s, and his style of play became more team-oriented, especially with Kyrie Irving by his side. His scoring averaged 25.3, 25.3, and 26.4 points per game during those years. After Irving left, LeBron still managed 27.5 points per game in 2018, marking 14 consecutive seasons of averaging 25 points or more.

After joining the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron became the veteran player, and many expected his decline to come soon. In 2019, he averaged 27.4 points, but by 2020, that dropped to 25.3 points, though he led the Lakers to a championship. Over the next few seasons, LeBron still managed to average 25, 30.3, and 28.9 points, with 39-year-old LeBron averaging 25.7 points last season. This remarkable streak of 20 consecutive seasons of averaging 25 points or more is unprecedented in NBA history. It's worth noting that even scoring 25 points a game in a single season places a player among the top scorers in the league, and achieving this for 10 consecutive years is extremely rare, let alone 20.

However, this record is now set to end. As of this season, LeBron has played 24 games, averaging 35 minutes per game. His shot attempts have dropped to 17.6 per game, and he is currently averaging 22.8 points, 8 rebounds, and 9.1 assists. Although he has had brilliant performances, including a 39-point game, his recent outings have been marked by games with just 18, 10, 12, or 16 points. In just a few weeks, LeBron will turn 40, and his decline is becoming more apparent. As a result, the legendary record that LeBron has maintained for 20 years is finally coming to an end.