There hasn’t been much wrong with LeBron James’ season so far, as the four-time MVP is having his best individual season numbers-wise in his career.
James is currently averaging 26.1 points per game, a career-high 8.4 rebounds per contest, and dishing 8.8 assists per game, which is also a career-best. The four-time MVP is also shooting a staggering 54.5% from the floor and connecting on a blistering 38.1% from three-point range. Needless to say, it’s been another extraordinary season from the kid from Akron. The numbers are understandably jaw-dropping, but there is one blemish, however, James’ free throw shooting.
Shooting from the line is often the easiest way to scoring points, but James has always been a rhythm free throw shooter and hasn’t quite found his form at the stripe so far this campaign. He is currently shooting a career-low 68% on his freebies, a whole 10% lower than his career-high 78% he shot from the line in the 2008-2009 season with the Cavaliers.
James prides himself on his efficiency and is well aware he is under-performing from the line at the moment. Despite his overall efficiency being among the best the NBA has seen in its history for players that consistently take jump shots, last June’s finals MVP isn’t satisfied with his free throw shooting right now.
The good news is James never stops working on his game, and his favorite time of the year is just around the corner. When asked about his current struggles at the stripe, James touched on his frustration and then vowed to fix his free throw shooting when the playoff begins.
“Yeah, it’s killing me, it’s killing me. Can’t have it all I guess, can’t have it all” James said with a smile. “So as everything else is creeping up, that’s taken a step down but I’ll be fine for the playoffs. For the rest of this regular season I’m gonna end up shooting 60s which is a career low for me, but post season I’ll be up there in the 80s.”
It wouldn’t be safe to bet against James raising his numbers in the playoffs, as he’s consistently upped his production throughout his career once post-season arrives.
James may not have waited for the playoffs though, as last night, in the Cavs victory over the Charlotte Hornets he sank 14 of his 16 free throws in an impressive display on the night. Those 14 free throws made up some of his 32 points on the evening, as he led the Wine and Gold to a much-needed victory to fortify their position on top of the Eastern Conference.
