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LeBron James has been named to the 2020-21 All-NBA Second Team, the league announced on Tuesday. This marks James’ 17th consecutive All-NBA selection — the most in league history — and his third in his three years with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Joining James on the Second Team is Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul and New York Knicks forward Julius Randle, the fourth of whom was drafted by the Lakers with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.
The last time James was selected for the Second Team was the 2006-07 season. At the end of the 2018-2019, he was named to the Third Team, which is the only time in his career that’s happened. All but four of his All-NBA selections have been First Team selections.
James’ Second Team selection is technically a step down from his First Team selection last season, but it’s still an acknowledgment of the extraordinary the numbers he put up in his 18th NBA season. In the 45 games he played in the regular season, James averaged 25 points per game, 7.7 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He’s now had 17 straight seasons where he’s averaged 25 or more points per game, which is also an NBA record.
Could it be argued that he would have made the First Team if he never got injured? Probably, but at this stage of his career, it’s just a marvel that he’s still being named to these teams. The Lakers and the NBA as a whole are lucky to have him. His greatness shouldn’t be taken for granted.
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