After 21 years, LeBron James’ record streak comes to an end

All good things must come to an end. After 21 years, LeBron James has officially been ruled out of All-NBA selection after falling short of the eligibility requirements for the NBA season awards.

On Tuesday the LA Lakers confirmed that James would sit out that evening’s game against the San Antonio Spurs due to left foot arthritis. This is the 18th game this season missed by the Lakers star, meaning that he will not be able to make the 65-game threshold for awards and All-NBA voting consideration.

Now 41 years old, James has still been a productive player for the Lakers this season and is averaging 21.8 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game. Nevertheless, injuries have hampered his output and prevented him from extending his record-setting streak of All-NBA appearances to 22 seasons.

James is now in his 23rd year in the NBA, the most of any player in league history. This season was billed as a last chance for James to pick up a fifth championship ring and the Lakers brought in Luka Doncic to bolster the team’s title credentials.

But despite Doncic’s performances, the team has failed to find any real consistency and now looks unlikely to mount a real challenge for the championship. The Lakers suffered a 119-110 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday and James was forced to confront his team’s struggles. Asked about the Thunder, James replied: “You want me to compare us to them? That’s a championship team right there. We’re not.”

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