Why is LeBron James so good?Improved shooting, health are factors that could propel Lakers stars into elite ranks

There’s no way a 38-year-old player is in the top 15 in the NBA in points, assists, steals, field goal percentage and player efficiency rating (PER), but there’s never been a player quite like LeBron James. During his rookie season, he played against multiple opponents whose fathers were in the league (which is a good way to say he’s old), but he was still the best player on the floor most nights.

In the first 14 games of the Lakers season, James averaged 26.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game, shooting 58.6% from the field and 39.7% from three-point range. These are far from empty numbers – he’s one of the most valuable players in the NBA. By cleaning up the glass, the Lakers have improved their scoring by 28.4 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor, ranking in the 99th percentile in the league.

How come James is still so good at this age? let’s see.

MORE: The good, the bad and the ugly of Victor Wembanyama so far

Why is LeBron James so good?

LeBron is having a career year both shooting and handling the ball

Considering that James was not a shooter when he entered the league, he performed very well in this area. His three-point shooting percentage this season has improved from 29.0% as a rookie to 39.7%, which is the second-highest rate of his career.

Great shooting isn’t just limited to the three-point line. James also shot a career-high 68.0% from two-point range, largely due to his ridiculous shooting at the rim. By cleaning the glass, he’s shooting 81.7 percent from within 4 feet, which ranks in the 93rd percentile among forwards and about 5 percentage points higher than during his MVP prime.

If you thought James was driving more this year, you’d be absolutely right. According to NBA Stats, he has the most drives since the 2019-20 bubble season. His field goal percentage on all drives was as high as 67.1%. That’s the best of any player averaging at least six drives per game.

When he gets into midfield, James is still basically unstoppable.

LeBron’s understanding of the game remains unparalleled

One thing that never gets old is James’ preparation and vast knowledge of the league.

Norman Powell recently told a story on Paul George’s podcast About competing with James in the playoffs as a member of the Raptors. James knew their playbook so well that he had one of Powell’s teammates involved in the play he was supposed to run.

James still shows extraordinary sharpness in every game. On Sunday, he pointed out to teammate D’Angelo Russell that the Rockets are trying to be prepared to block this primary option before it happens.

James also showed his smarts on the other side of the court, clearing everyone and setting up Dillon Brooks for the game-winning free throw.

LeBron dominates as small forward

In recent years, there has been a trend to put James in position. He’s playing more minutes at center, which could put a greater strain on his body. This season, the Lakers’ lineup is even bigger. As a result, James has played more minutes at small forward than he has since the Lakers’ 2020 championship run.

James thrives at small forward, usually paired with Christian Wood and one of Anthony Davis or Jaxon Hayes. In 179 games, they crushed their opponents, outscoring their opponents by 41.4 points per 100 possessions.

Sunday’s game against the Rockets was a perfect example of James’ dominance in smaller games. Even against the best perimeter defenders like Brooks, he’s too strong to have any chance of being stopped on the downhill.

James gets physical with Brooks, making him stumble backward on drives, shooting over him, blowing past him, or getting right to him and giving him a too-small hand gesture after a shot.

James still plays most of his time at power forward, but these small forward performances give him a nice break and allow him to beat smaller guys.

LeBron looks healthier than ever

James has always taken his health very seriously. Reportedly costs $1.5 million annually Its shape is maintained through cryotherapy, hyperbaric chambers and other expenses. Despite these precautions, he suffered a number of nagging injuries as he aged, limiting him to an average of just 52 games over the past three years.

This season, he looks healthier than ever. He missed only one of the Lakers’ first 14 games and averaged 34.4 minutes per game, ranking 29th in the league. Being healthy has given him more practice time to improve his game.

“I’ve been able to play a lot more on my off days this year because of my foot injuries the last few years or whatever,” James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “So, being able to focus on everything I need to do and Not having to stop unless we’re racing allows me to keep the rhythm going.”

James is taking the stress off his body by becoming more judicious with his playing time. His usage rate (an estimate of how many possessions he uses) is one of the lowest rates of his career. According to NBA statistics, his field goal percentage this season is 54.3%, which is the highest of his career so far.

James is still capable of taking over games, but he’s choosing his spots more wisely, letting his teammates do the heavy lifting more often than before.

James is still in the top ten. We shouldn’t take this for granted. Estimated Plus-Minus (EPM) is one of the league’s most respected impact statistics, and he ranks as the fifth-most impactful player in the league by far. He is truly unique and has a lot left in the tank.