LeBron James put up historic numbers this season by any measure whatsoever. Factoring in the advanced stage of the Los Angeles Lakers superstar's career, though, puts his remarkable statistical exploits in even more rarified air. It's basically undisputed at this point that James' age-37 season was the best of all time.
Unfortunately for James, his individual brilliance didn't translate to team success. The rebuilt Lakers were championship favorites coming into 2021-22 but were eliminated from postseason contention earlier this week, capping one of the most disappointing seasons in team history.
Though injuries weren't the only factor behind Los Angeles' struggles, they certainly played a major part in the purple-and-gold falling to depths of missing the play-in tournament. James last played on April 1st, missing Los Angeles' two games before then due to a nasty ankle injury he suffered in the short-handed Lakers' crucial loss to the New Orleans Pelicans a few days earlier.
James' year was over before Los Angeles' postseason hopes were dashed, but the team officially ruled him out on Friday.
Responding to a tweet from SLAM about his mind-blowing per-game numbers in his late-30s, the four-time championship expressed more regret about the Lakers' unexpectedly dire straits than his unprecedented production.
I appreciate it and love y’all love! Wish it was done in winning fashion though! Gave everything I had to this season when I was on the floor! See y’all again in the fall. #Year20 #SFG🚀 #KingMe👑 https://t.co/KBOoHBktjg
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 8, 2022
James averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.1 blocks per game this season. His elite 61.9 true shooting percentage was his best since 2017-18, while James' even more impressive 62% shooting on twos was the second-highest mark of his career.
Finally, there are real indications that Father Time is coming for James. You certainly wouldn't know it by looking at box scores and certain advanced statistics, though.
Here's hoping the Lakers make enough adjustments over the summer to avoid wasting another epic season from arguably the best player of all-time.
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