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Can LeBron Finish His Career With 40,000 Points?

By Albert Dadson

Mar 12, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball as Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) defends during the first half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) controls the ball as Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) defends during the first half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 9, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

LeBron James right now is the eighth leading scorer in NBA history. He is just 32 years old.

Dirk Nowitzki is 38 and he has just became the sixth player to reach 30,000 points. LeBron James has 28,448 points as of right now so next year he may be able to get 30,000 already.

Coming out of high school sure does have it’s perks, doesn’t it? LeBron’s next step is passing Shaq who he is just 148 points behind. He should do it easily this year.

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LeBron’s legacy has cemented him as a first ballot hall of famer and has made him into an international icon. The milestones he has accomplished has been endless but there is one milestone that has never been done that LeBron might be eyeing.

It is farfetched right now but if LeBron plays to 40 and maintains his career average of 27.1 points he may be able to be the first player to ever to score 40,000 points for his career. Not only would he be the first to do it, he could possibly score 46,000 plus if he stays at the pace that he’s on.

He is 11,552 points away right now so if he scores at least 2,000 points every year for six years he would have well over 40,000 for his career.

The reason Kareem was able to become the leader was because of the fact that he was able to play at a high level for a long time.

LeBron should be no different. It is farfetched because LeBron’s body may shut down in the next coming 3-4 years but the way he trains and takes care of his body this feat may be realistic.

LeBron has lost a step but he has reinvented himself with a perimeter game and he has been able to play with his back to the basket which Kobe was legendary at with his fade away jumper.

The reason LeBron has been able to stay this consistent and play this well game in and game out is the fact that he has not had to get any major surgery or have any injuries that shut him down for long periods of time.

Also, he has been playing meaningful basketball season after season and has not had to shut it down for a season because playoff chances were not achievable.

Another fact is his minutes.

LeBron was in the news this season for leading the league in minutes and when you’re on the floor more than anybody in the league then your numbers will reflect.

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LeBron is probably the most durable player in the NBA and when you are the most durable then that shows what you do in the offseason to get ready for the grind of 82 games plus playoffs.

LeBron is underrated in terms of his ability to work harder than everybody else.

Yes, he has god given talents but the way that he works before and during a season to stay in shape and stay ready for anything that a long NBA season can offer is something that needs more attention. LeBron is not the player that demands the ball every play but yet he still averages 27.1 points in his career while still getting 7 rebounds and 7 assists per game.

His stats show what people in the basketball world say is a high basketball IQ.

That means that not only does he make plays, he makes smart plays.

He makes plays that will affect the game later on. For instance, he will pass the ball to open shooters and that will affect driving lanes later on.

LeBron is having another MVP season that will go unrecognized because of the heroic efforts of Westbrook but any other season if LeBron averaged 26 points, 8.4 rebounds and 8.9 assists he would be a lock for the MVP award.

Both the other top MVP candidates also average over 5 turnovers per game. LeBron is up there with 4.2, but his efficiency is still incredibly elite. LeBron’s efficiency is a stat that has made him so great. This season he is making 54.2% of his shots which is just ridiculous for a perimeter player. His 54.2% is the third best of his career behind both the 2012-2013 season and the 2013-2014 season. James won the MVP in the 2012-2013 season and was second to Kevin Durant.

Making more than half of his shots is the reason that he is where he is at on the scoring charts. That is why he is the best player in the world because of the fact that he can beat you but he can beat you precisely and accurately.

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Getting to 40,000 is a tough task that has never been done but LeBron has a real chance because of his efficiency, durability, and resiliency.