Data Don't Lie|James' Season 21: What milestones will the 39-year-old unlock?

After announcing that he would continue for the 2023-24 season, James decided to wear the number 23 jersey back. In December, he will turn 39. In his 21st season of his career, James is expected to become the first player to have at least 40,000 points + 10,000 rebounds + 10,000 assists, in addition to Project 411, what milestones will the superstar unlock?

1. The oldest...

In 2022-23, James' 20th season, he averaged 35.5 minutes per game, contributing 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists, with a usage rate of 32.2% and a true shooting percentage of 58.3%. These are elite-level stats, and if he stays fit next season, he will undoubtedly beat all the other 39-year-olds in NBA history.

In 2002-03, Karl Malone averaged 20.6 points per game, making him the highest 39-year-old in NBA history. That same season, the 39-year-old Jordan also averaged 20 points per game. Aside from these two stars, no other NBA player can average 20+ points per game at the age of 39. James will almost certainly break this record easily. (In 2021-22, when James was 37 years old, he still averaged 30.3 points per game, and no one else averaged at least 27 points per game over 35)

James could join Malone (36.2 minutes per game in 2002-03) and Jordan (37 minutes per game in 2002-03) as only players over the age of 39 who can still average at least 33 minutes per game.

He could also join Malone (8.7 rebounds per game in 2003-04) and Parrish (9.4 rebounds per game in 1992-93) as the only player over the age of 39 who can still average at least 8 rebounds per game (even if he only averages 7+ rebounds per game, only Duncan, Malone and Parrish do this age).

He could also become the only player other than John Stockton (7.7 assists per game in 2002-03 and 8.2 assists per game in 2001-02) who can average at least six assists per game at least 6 times for age 39 or older.

2. The first player to be named an All-Star 20 times

Last season, James tied Abdul-Jabbar as the most All-Star player in history (19). James is also the only player in NBA history to be named an All-Star 19 times in a row, all of which were All-Star starters. Next season, he is expected to become the first player to be an All-Star 20-time All-Star and an All-Star starter 20 times.

If he is selected as a starter for the 39-year-old season, it will happen for the first time ever. Jordan also started in the 2003 All-Star Game, but it was Carter who made way for him. Abdul-Jabbar was an All-Star as a backup in 1987 and 1988, and as an injury substitute in 1989. Nowitzki's 40-year-old season was named to the 2019 All-Star as a special roster addition.

James also has a chance to win his fourth career All-Star Game MVP, after only Pettit and Kobe Bryant have won four All-Star Game MVPs.

3. The first player to be named to the All-Tournament Team 20 times

James also has a chance to become the first player to be named to the All-NBA 20 times, having already set his own record last season with 19 All-NBA finishes, behind Abdul-Jabbar, Duncan and Kobe Bryant (15 each). He is also the third player to be named to the All-Squad in the 38-year-old season, joining Duncan (2014-15) and Abdul-Jabbar (1985-86). In the new season, the 39-year-old James is expected to make history again.

4. Total playing time will surpass Malone

James still needs a few more seasons to break Abdul-Jabbar's record for minutes played (57,446 minutes), but he is on the verge of becoming second on the list. James has played 54,093 minutes in his current career, which is very close to Malone (54,852 minutes). If James plays the same minutes in 2023-24 as he did last season, he is expected to surpass Malone in Game 22 of his appearances this season.

5. Free throw shots are expected to be in the top three

James' current free-throw percentage (8,087) ranks fourth all-time, 291 short of third-place Kobe, and if James averages 4.6 free throws per game as he did last season, he would need to play 64 games to outtake Kobe. However, James has not played 64 games in the last three seasons. How many games can he play in the new season?

6. Defensive rebounding rankings are expected to rise

Only 10 players in history have grabbed at least 9,000 defensive rebounds, and James is 10th (9,001). If he averages 7.1 defensive rebounds per game as he did last season, he would need to play 56 games to surpass No. 9 Abdul-Jabbar (9,394) and 68 games ahead of No. 8 Moses Malone (9,481).

7. Who will be surpassed by three points?

So far in his career, James has made 2,261 three-pointers, ranking 9th all-time. He will soon be ranked higher, currently only 21 three-pointers behind Terry and 29 behind Carter. If he averages as many three-point shots per game as he did in 2021-22 (2.9) and plays at least 66 games, he could even surpass former teammate Korver (2,450).

However, Klay Thompson is only 48 three-pointers behind James, who averaged 3.8 three-pointers per game last season compared to 2.2 for James, most likely surpassing Terry and Carter, but only rising one place in the all-time rankings.

8. Playoff three-point splash?

Another possible three-point milestone is expected to come in the playoffs. If James can make 40 three-pointers in the playoffs in 2023-24, his playoff career will reach 500. Currently, only Curry and Thompson have reached that height, and Curry has shot 618 playoff three-pointers, compared to Thompson's 501.

James made 28 three-pointers in 16 games in last season's playoffs, but he made 44 three-pointers in the playoffs in 2019-20, 39 in the playoffs in 2018-19 and 44 in the playoffs in 2016-17. If the Lakers can reach the Finals, James' three-point milestone can be achieved.

By the way, James is currently ranked first in playoffs in terms of appearances, minutes, points, field goals, shots, free throws, free throw shots, defensive rebounds and steals.

9. He will be the player with the most shots

James doesn't consider himself a scorer, but he will soon become the player with the most shots in history. James has made 28,044 shots so far in his career, 263 fewer than Abdul-Jabbar, and if he averages 22.2 shots per game next season (as from last season), he will be the all-time number one in Game 12.

10. The steal will overtake the glider

So far in his career, James has 2,186 steals and is currently 9th all-time, only 21 behind 8th "Glider" Drexler. If he continues to average 0.9 steals per game last season, he is expected to surpass Drexler in his 24th appearance.

Pippen (2307) is 7th, Maurice Cheeks (2310) is 6th, and James will struggle to beat them. James had more than 100 steals in each of his first 13 seasons, but in the last seven seasons, he only had more than 100 steals in one year.