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In this episode of The big numberTom Haberstroh and Dan Devine dig deep into the numbers to try to figure out how 39-year-old LeBron James is having such a great season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
The guys are starting with the big number, which this week is 826. That’s the number of three-point shots LeBron James has made since joining the Lakers. If that doesn’t sound like much to you, listen to the Hall of Fame players who never made that many three-point shots in their entire careers.
But it’s the efficiency of LeBron’s season that has really caught both Tom and Dan’s attention. He is currently posting career highs in points scored per 36, points scored on plays with LeBron in the pick-and-roll and the percentage of his baskets that are assisted.
The success of the 10-4 Lakers, as well as the success of rookie forward Dalton Knecht, can be directly attributed to the increased efficiency and skill of LeBron James, who turns 40 in about six weeks. That’s crazy. Is there evidence he is having his most impressive season?
Finally, Tom wrote a piece for Yahoo Sports wondering if making three-point dunks would move the NBA back toward offensive diversity and away from any team trying to copy the Boston Celtics. He discusses it with Dan to see if it would be feasible and, if not, what other plans might make sense.
(2:05) The big number: 826
(17:34) The small numbers: 47.3
(19:54) The small numbers: 49.2%
(22:37) The small numbers: 1.19
(27:32) The small numbers: +15.5
(32:49) Over/under scoreboard update
(33:37) Should the NBA make dunks worth 3 points?
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