In the new season, many star players in the league have not performed well, with Embiid being particularly noticeable for his decline. He has been reluctant to play on the court recently, missing all recent games and only playing four this season, averaging less than 20 points per game. As for the Pacers' Haliburton, his state this season has been unpredictable. As a core player, he averages only 17.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 8.7 assists, with a shooting percentage of 41% and a three-point percentage of 34%. Last season, Haliburton was an All-Star starter and considered Paul's successor, but unfortunately, his biggest problem is his lack of athleticism, which puts him at a disadvantage during confrontations. Additionally, some veteran stars in the league seem to be declining as well, like Curry, who averages only 22.5 points this season, with his three-point prowess also significantly reduced.
Paul George's move to the 76ers seems to be a wrong decision. In the first nine games, he averaged only 14.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.8 assists. His shooting percentage dropped by 10% compared to last season, and his three-point percentage dropped by 13%, a significant decline! George's personal abilities are versatile, but he lacks specialization, without a stable scoring method or the ability to control the game, making it difficult for him to perform well in his new team. Even LeBron James seems to be unable to withstand the effects of time. In recent games, James appears lethargic, with a significant drop in efficiency, numerous turnovers, and a negative impact on defense. Over the past four games, James scored 18, 18, 16, and 12 points respectively.
Did you know? This is the fourth time in James' career that he has scored less than 20 points in four consecutive games, with the previous three times occurring during his rookie season. Due to James' recent poor performance, the Lakers' record has plummeted. They won only one out of the last five games, dropping from third to sixth in the West. Initially, James' outside efficiency was decent, with a three-point percentage exceeding 45%, the highest of his career. However, after these games, his three-point percentage dropped below 40%, to 38.8%. In the last 17 three-point attempts, James only made three shots. Furthermore, in terms of on-court influence, Russell currently has the highest plus-minus value on the Lakers, reaching +84, while James' total plus-minus value is -83, ranking last on the team.
Basketball commentator Perkins said, "This might be James' last season." Given James' character, if he continues to perform poorly, he will likely consider retirement. Since joining the NBA, James has accumulated numerous achievements and honors, becoming a legendary figure. In the eyes of many fans, his status in the league is just slightly behind Michael Jordan, with Jordan being the highest peak in the NBA and James being the longest river. In the final years of his career, he has been breaking various records. After the last game, James achieved another milestone, with his total number of appearances (including regular season and playoffs) reaching 1798, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the player with the most appearances in history.
In the upcoming season, James can still set many records, including a particularly impressive one: his career total score exceeding 50,000 points! Currently, James has scored 40,886 points in the regular season and 8,162 points in the playoffs, totaling 49,048 points. With another 952 points, his total will reach 50,000, a record that is unprecedented and difficult for successors to match, truly remarkable! This season, James averages 22.3 points, so he can achieve this milestone in less than 43 games, expected to be reached in the middle to late stages of the regular season. Last season, James' regular-season total score exceeded 40,000 points, completing the 411 project, which is already a record that others can't catch up with, ranking first in history!
James' playoff total score is also the highest in history, leading by a significant margin, with second-place Jordan not even reaching 7,000 points. Looking at it this way, to reach a combined regular season and playoff total of 50,000 points, one must first ensure strong scoring ability, a long career without major injuries, and the ability to lead a team, at least to the playoffs and preferably deep into them. Therefore, James' total scoring record is incredibly difficult for future generations to break. Only 952 points away! This legendary NBA record has appeared, unprecedented and difficult for successors to reach. Unfortunately, during this period, James has clearly declined significantly. It remains to be seen whether he can quickly regain his form in future games.
