LeBron James added another record to his long list of accomplishments. The Lakers forward officially played on Saturday in the 1,612th regular-season game of his career, a new NBA mark. Longtime Celtics center Robert Parish held the previous record.
“It’s not like I’m like writing things down and looking at the record book and saying: ‘I’m going to get that, I’m going to get that, I’m going to get that.’ It just kind of happened,” James said, according to Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. “It was not on the list of things that I wanted to accomplish.”
James added that he has long made it a priority to push through injuries and to be available to play as much as possible over the course of his storied career.
“I’ve always kind of just prided myself on trying to be as available as possible in my career to my teammates,” James said, per Law Murray of The Athletic. “Going out on the floor every night and keeping my body intact. And the only way I can do that, is how I treat my body. How I prepare my mind to be available for 23 years as much as I possibly can.”
Here’s more from the Pacific Division:
- The Lakers extended their winning streak to nine games on Saturday by defeating Orlando, 105-104. Luke Kennard knocked down a game-winning three-pointer in the final second. “I didn’t really know what was going on, I was just screaming,” Kennard said, per Khobi Price of the California Post. “I remember somebody, I don’t know who it was, somebody picked me up. But it was really cool. It’s a cool moment. Haven’t had many like that in the NBA, I don’t think. It means a lot how excited everybody was. I felt that. And again, just to win a game like that is pretty special and just shows what we have in the locker room.” Kennard, a free agent after the season, was acquired from Atlanta last month.
- The Suns fell to the Bucks, 108-105, on Saturday. Phoenix was without six players and coach Jordan Ott lamented how the injuries have affected the club, which had lost five straight until it defeated Toronto 120-98 on Sunday. “We just want everyone back. In a rhythm would be a blessing,” Ott said, per Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic (Twitter link). “We just want everyone back. Said it constantly. Tried to stay away from it the last couple of weeks. That’s what we’d like to do.”
- Injuries continue to pile up for the banged-up Kings. They have won five of their last eight games, including a victory over the Nets this weekend, but two more players were injured. Rookie first-round draft pick Nique Clifford departed in the fourth quarter after twisting his ankle. Recent addition Killian Hayes, who has been starting at the point lately, suffered a toe injury, according to Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee. “Man, it sucks, especially for the young guys because you want them to be out there playing,” Kings forward DeMar DeRozan said. “You want them to get as many reps and experience as possible, and to see them go down, it definitely sucks. Hopefully, it’s nothing too serious.”
23 years averaging 37.7 mins a game…just a differently-built human to the rest of us.
Jebron Lames!
Playing in the most games in any sport is the most telltale sign of greatness. When I was a kid my uncle gave me a small placard upon which was boldly printed:
EVEN BABE RUTH STRUCK OUT 1330 TIMES
Longevity.
Davey is absolutely correct.
Not to sound reductive but if he’s been truly natural (no PEDs) his entire career, then his regiment and longevity should be studied in schools. Even at his ripe old age and heavy career minutes he is performing better than stars considered in their “prime”.
That’s what I’m saying, avg 37.7 mins per game for literally 23 mostly-full seasons, and it’s also kinda funny how his genetics were not passed to Bronny, like, at all.
Robert Parrish’s son doesn’t seem to be listed in any record books either lol
Great point, but Parrish played against plumbers and Parrish himself smoked weed during games, Bron is in the era of professional athletes dominating the league, its way harder for him than it was for Big Bob
The 80’s-90’s were the golden age of centers. I’d hardly call Hakeem Olajuwon, Moses Malone, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, and especially Kareem Abdul-Jabbar plumbers.
Plumbers 😂😂. Some of those guys def looked the part back then
Davey is confused about when players had to work other jobs due to the poor pay in the 50s and 60s.
By the time Parish 1st played in 1977, the merger with the ABA had happened and salaries were fine.
It’s insane
The Magic should be ashamed leaving the highest 3 pt FG% shooter wide open with 2 seconds left.
They will never win anything with that coach.