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LeBron James, while being one of the most popular sports icons of all time, is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. With an 18-year-long career that boasts of his excellence in the league, LeBron has a strong argument for entering the conversation for the greatest.
Other than his pure athletic gifts and his basketball mind, LeBron's claim to greatness also lies in his durability. In the last decade, from 2011-2018, LeBron James has made eight consecutive NBA Finals appearances.
Missing the playoffs in the 2018-19 season due to injury, he returned the following season to the NBA Finals again, winning his fourth NBA title and Finals MVP at the age of 35.
LeBron James has had to take on massive physical burdens to ensure the success of his teams in the regular-season as well as the playoffs. In this article we take a look at the top five seasons where LeBron James has played the most minutes.
#5 2010-11: Miami Heat - 3,063
Having finished his first stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James joined Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in the Miami Heat in hopes of winning his first NBA title.
In his first season with the Heat, LeBron and the Heat put up a regular-season record of 58-24 which gave them the second seed in the Eastern Conference table.
LeBron James recorded a total of 3,063 minutes played in the regular-season with an average of 38.8 minutes played per game. LeBron averaged 26.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and seven assists per game.
The Heat went 14-7 in the playoffs, losing in the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks.
#4 2003-04: Cleveland Cavaliers - 3,122
Fresh out of high school and drafted as the first overall pick, LeBron James became part of the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise in 2003.
LeBron James showed great promise coming to the Cavaliers. Having recorded a 17-65 record the previous season, LeBron helped elevate the team to a 35-47 record in his rookie season.
Winning the NBA's Rookie of the Year award in the process, LeBron James recorded 3,122 minutes played with an average of 39.5 minutes per game. LeBron averaged 20.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.5 assists in his rookie season.
#3 2006-07: Cleveland Cavaliers - 3,190
In his fourth season in the NBA, LeBron James started showing signs of being one of the best players in the league. Establishing himself as the face of the franchise, the Cavaliers put up a regular-season record of 50-32, making them the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
LeBron James recorded 3,190 minutes played in the regular-season with an average of 40.9 minutes per game. He led the league in total minutes played. He also averaged 27.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and six assists per game, finishing second in MVP voting.
Heading into the playoffs, Lebron and the Cavaliers went 12-6, getting swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals. It was LeBron's first NBA Finals appearance and the first appearance for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
#2 2005-06: Cleveland Cavaliers - 3,361
The 2005-06 season was LeBron James' third in the league. Coming off his first All-Star team selection the previous season, LeBron was also looking at his first NBA postseason.
After leading Cleveland to a 50-32 season, the Cavaliers secured the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. For the season, LeBron James recorded 3,361 minutes played on an average of 42.5 minutes per game.
LeBron averaged 31.4 points, seven rebounds and 6.6 assists per game as he and the Cavaliers head into the NBA Playoffs.
With a postseason record of 7-6, the Cavaliers were knocked out of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference Semifinals by the Detroit Pistons. The inexperienced Cavaliers took the Pistons to seven games.
#1 2004-05: Cleveland Cavaliers: 3,388
During his second season in the NBA, LeBron James emerged as the face of the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise. With his first selection into the NBA All-Star team and coming off a strong rookie season, LeBron was primed to perform well.
Unfortunately, LeBron James had to carry the burden of his team early on. He eventually dragged them to a 42-40 season, barely keeping them over .500. However, it would not be enough to help them qualify for the playoffs as they finished as the ninth seed in the East.
LeBron James recorded 3,388 minutes played with an average of 42.4 minutes per game. LeBron led the league in total minutes played as well as minutes per game. He averaged 27.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists.
