How LeBron could cost himself the NBA scoring title if he continues to sit out
The runway is getting increasingly shorter in Los Angeles. Not just for the Lakers’ chances to make the play-in tournament and keep their season alive, but for LeBron James to capture the 2021-22 scoring title.
Precisely, the runway is down to three games for LeBron.
After being ruled out of Tuesday’s matchup with the Phoenix Suns, he’ll need to appear in at least two of those final three games in order to fulfill the NBA’s scoring title requirement of playing in at least 70 percent of games (58). Although, he theoretically could still win the title without playing in 58 games:
Per NBA.com
“The only exception to this rule will be if, at the end of the season, the player would have led the league in the category had he played the required number of games with his current category total.”
If LeBron plays in enough games to qualify for the scoring title and holds his narrow-ish lead over Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo (not a sure thing), he’ll become the oldest player (37) to ever lead the league in scoring (30.3 ppg currently).
Yes — even surpassing Michael Jordan’s age-35 season in which he averaged 28.7 points per game.
For my money, Bron will figure out how to get those games in. And I won’t even be a little bit mad at him for it. If you can etch your name in the record books another time, go for it. Especially, when you’re in consideration for GOAT status — every stat matters.
Besides, no one will remember years from now that the Lakers stunk while LeBron averaged 30-plus points. We’ll just marvel at what he was able to accomplish at such a late stage in his career.
Nevertheless, three games to play two. Time is ticking.