benji wrote:It's not games, it's minutes. The Spurs were once again first, but everyone's doing it.
Two players logged 3000 minutes last season, both 22 or younger, only eleven cracked 2750 including MPG leader LeBron James (37.8).
Twenty-two players logged 3000 minutes in 1991-92, with 45 playing over 2750. 20 players averaged 37.7 MPG or more.
The reason everyone talked about LeBron leading the league was because he already had logged more minutes in his career than Jordan. Not at the same age, at two years younger. He wound up ending the year over 50,000 minutes.
The regular season minutes leaders are quickly filling up with modern players, the combined minutes leaders will all be modern except for the ungodly Kareem and Malone. This is despite them playing vastly fewer minutes per game and often even playing fewer games per season. It's simply that they're playing far more seasons, and playoffs.
The non-Hall of Fame players in the top 50 in regular season minutes played that started playing after 1995 now include: KG, Kidd, Dirk, Kobe, Duncan, Ray Allen, Pierce, Vince Carter, Joe Johnson, LeBron, Jason Terry, Andre Miller, Shawn Marion, Pau Gasol, Steve Nash and Michael Finley. Tony Parker, Jamal Crawford and Carmelo Anthony are all within striking distance with Anthony being a lock to not only make it but move up. Dwight seems like he should be a lock to make it too unless he retires early for a big man. And all these guys had at least one lockout shortened season, many had two. KG passed Elvin Hayes and Dirk has a good shot at it, despite both averaging under 35 MPG, Hayes did 38 MPG.
A combined minutes total would be even more overwhelmed by modern players. More rounds, more games. Kareem played in 8851 playoff minutes. Earning six rings and ten NBA Finals trips. LeBron has already played in 9127 playoff minutes. That got him three rings and eight Finals trips including a seemingly impossible seven straight. LeBron's never played less than 460 minutes in a playoff season when the Cavs got bumped in the second round and he took his talents to South Beach, Kareem's first ring only took him 577 minutes. LeBron's always played when a minimum of twelve games were required to advance to the Conference Finals. Kareem lost in three Conference Finals without having played twelve playoff games. He never needed 16 wins for a title.
Thank you for the well thought out post.
LeBron started his career many years earlier than Jordan, which is also why the minutes are that way. Jordan. Retired the second time (after his 6 titles) after only playing 13 years in the league. LeBron started his career at 18.
Longevity wise, I disagree with you. You mentioned a couple names, without mentioning Kevin Willis who played til he was 44, Robert Parish, AC Green, and many others. Long NBA careers still existed.
I'll say again, injuries down but minutes up 26 years ago. If any advancements have been made, I am certainly not seeing them. I do not see the results.