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LeBron James hits 2,000+ points, 500+ rebounds, 500+ assists again

By Rich Kraetsch

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 27: LeBron James
CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 27: LeBron James /
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LeBron James added his name to the history books again this week, registering his eight season of 2000+ points, 500+ rebounds and 500+ assists and only the 25th such occurrence in NBA history. LeBron’s eight seasons with those marks are more than anybody else in history — even triple-double machine Oscar Robertson only hit them it six times. Larry Bird only three times. Michael Jordan just twice.

LeBron also became the oldest player in history (33) to hit those prestigious marks in a single season. The previous oldest — John Havlicek — was 31 years old when he put up 2252 points, 672 rebounds and 614 assists on the 1972 Boston Celtics.

Want to take a stab at who is the youngest player to ever achieve the 2000+ point, 500+ rebound and 500+ assist threshold?

Of course.

At age 20, in only his second NBA season, James beat out Robertson, who reached it at age 22 as a member of the 1961 Cincinnati Royals.

Let’s recap.

LeBron:

  • Has the most seasons all-time with 2000+ points, 500+ rebounds and 500+ assists at eight.
  • Is the youngest player to ever have 2000+ points, 500+ rebounds and 500+ assists in a season at age 20.
  • Is oldest player to ever have 2000+ points, 500+ rebounds and 500+ assists in a season at age 33.

What’s most impressive about all those accolades is the gap in time between hitting these numbers: 13 years. 2005-2018.

Examining players who have hit 2000+ points, 500+ rebounds and 500+ assists multiple times in their career we see just how impressive James’ already-legendary longevity is. Robertson first put up 2000+ points, 500+ rebounds and 500+ assists in 1961. His last season doing so was in 1966, his age 27 season. Michael Jordan hit 2000+ points, 500+ rebounds and 500+ assists first in 1989 at age 25 and again in 1990 at age 26. He would never do it again.

Havlicek went back to back in 1971 and 1972, his age 30 and 31 seasons.

James Harden joined LeBron in the 2000+ point, 500+ rebound and 500+ assist club this season, his second straight year with the honor. Lastly, Larry Bird first achieved the honor in his age 28 season (1985). Bird would follow up the next two seasons with 2000+ points, 500+ rebounds and 500+ assists with his last coming in 1987 at age 30.

  • Oscar Robertson: 5 years
  • Larry Bird: 2 years
  • Michael Jordan: 1 year
  • John Havlicek: 1 year
  • James Harden: 1 year

Let’s add James’ to the mix and put it into graph form for added emphasis:

Cherish every moment we have with peak LeBron, guys. You are watching something special.

If you’re interested in learning more about NBA history, check out our NBA history podcast, Over and Back, and the rest of our great podcasts hosted on The Step Back.

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