Cleveland Cavaliers player watch: LeBron James' milestones to look for in 2016-17

Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) celebratew with the Larry O

With only a few days until the 2016-17 NBA season kicks off, here are the upcoming milestones to look for from LeBron James this year.

Last year was an incredible season for the Cleveland Cavaliers. They had their ups and downs, from Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert‘s injuries to chemistry issues later on in the regular season and a 3-1 deficit in the Finals.

Despite the rocky road, the Cavs came out on top. They united and prevailed, giving the franchise its first ever NBA championship and giving Cleveland its first major sports title in 52 years.

While last season was a dream for Clevelanders and Cavs fans everywhere, it ended nearly four months ago. Now we’re ready for more basketball and are counting down the days until the 2016-17 NBA season begins.

Fortunately, there’s only a few days until the new season begins. So while we eagerly await the start, we’re taking a look at all the milestones that various Cavs players can reach this upcoming year. Last on our list, but definitely not least, is King James. At the age of 31 and with 13 NBA seasons under his belt, LeBron has many, many upcoming milestones to watch for

Jun 8, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball in front of Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) during the first quarter in game three of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

1,000th Game

Although LeBron has never played a full season, he has played the majority of games each year. He has played a total of 987 games and over 13 years, that gives him a career average of 75.9 games. And with just 13 more games, LeBron can hit the milestone for his 1,000th games. Given his average games played per year, he can get there.

In addition, LeBron currently ranks No. 4 on the franchise list for games played with 693 games. If he can play his career average of games, he’ll wind up at No. 2 with 768. If he plays more than his career average (although not likely given Ty Lue‘s plan to rest the King), he can even pass Zydrunas Ilgauskas (772) for the most games played for the Wine & Gold.

Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) handles the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the third quarter in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

 40,000th Minute Played

This year, LeBron can reach a huge milestone in minutes played. With a career average of 39 minutes per game and 38,478 minutes already played, LeBron can hit 40,000. Yes, you read that right, 40,000. If he plays 39 minutes over his career average of 75 games, LeBron can play almost 3,000 minutes this season and end up with over 41,000 by the end of the year.

But as he ages, and with the depth of the Cavs, LeBron has seen his minutes decline slightly. Last year, he averaged 35.6 minutes per game. Even at that lower average, LeBron would still wind up with 41,000 minutes. He already ranks No. 1 on the Cavs list for minutes played, so he’ll just continue to solidify his place in franchise history.

Jun 10, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball as Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) looks on during the second quarter in game four of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

10,000th Field Goal

LeBron is a beast in general, but he’s always been able to get buckets. After all his time in the NBA, he has 9,687 field goals and a career average of 9.8 per game. If he can get that number over his career average of 75 games, LeBron can end up with 10,430 field goals. He would be well past the milestone for his 10,000th and would become the 14th player in NBA history to hit that mark. There goes that bad man.

1,400th Three Pointer

While LeBron is criticized for his outside shot, or lack thereof, he still has an upcoming milestone in threes. He has made 1,343 so far in his career and averages 1.4 per game. At that rate over 75 games, LeBron would get over 100 threes, putting him well past the 1,400th mark. He averaged slightly less last year at 1.1, but even with his lower 2015-16 average, LeBron would hit his 1,400th three.

9,000th Two Pointer

In addition, LeBron potentially has an upcoming milestone in two pointers. He’s made 8,344 twos, through jump shots and (more often) layups and dunks, and averages 8.5 per game. If he can get that number over 75 games, LeBron can hit over 600 two pointers this year. That puts him just shy of his 9,000th, so we’re hoping he can hit a few extra and get that milestone.

LeBron ranks first on the franchise list in each of these categories, so any more buckets he gets will only keep him at number one.

December 25, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots a free throw during the fourth quarter in a NBA basketball game on Christmas against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Cavaliers 89-83. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

6,500th Free Throw

LeBron’s strength, power, speed and stealth has given him the ability to drive to the basket and make him nearly unstoppable. These features also help LeBron get to the free throw line and because of this, he has an upcoming milestone in that department. After his 13 seasons, LeBron has shot 6,116 free throws and averages 6.2 per game. At that rate, he could hit 470 this year alone and adding that to his total puts him at 6,586.

However, LeBron averaged less last year at 4.7. If he shoots his 2015-16 average over 75 games, he would wind up with 6,472, just shy of the 6,500th mark. LeBron is first in free throws for the Cavs, so every time he gets to the free throw line solidifies his ranking.

Jun 7, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and center Tristan Thompson (13) go for rebound against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) in game two of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

7,500th Total Rebound

We know LeBron can score and we know he can rebound. He averages 7.2 total rebounds per game and has already grabbed 7,067 over his time in the NBA. If he can get that 7.2 number over his career average of 75 games, he can grab 546. That would give him 7,613 at the end of the year, putting him comfortably past the milestone for his 7,500th total rebound.

LeBron ranks third on the franchise list of total rebounds with 4,842. If he grabs his career average of rebounds over his career average of games, he can wind up at 5,388. That would move him into second, past Brad Daugherty (with 5,227).

6,000th Defensive Rebound

LeBron is an absolute beast on the boards, especially on the defensive end. He already has 5,875 and needs just 125 more to hit 6,000. With a career average of 6.0 per game, Lebron can hit that mark and beyond. If he grab that number over 75 games, he can end the year with 6,330 defensive rebounds.

He also ranks second on the franchise list in defensive rebounds with 4,002. He needs just 18 more to pass Brad Daughtery (4,020) as the all-time leader and with his averages, he’ll get there.

1,200th Offensive Rebound

LeBron can also hit a milestone on the other end of the floor. He currently averages 1.2 per game and has 1,192 offensive rebounds. So with just eight more, he would hit the 1,200 mark. Moreover, if he can grab that 1.2 over 75 games, LeBron would get 91 for the year. That puts him far past the milestone for his 1,200th offensive rebound.

Apr 26, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) looks to pass the ball while Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger (7) defends during the second half in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

7,000th Assist

LeBron is also known for his passing wizardry and his ability to find people on the floor that most can’t. He currently has 6,815 assists in the books and an average of 6.9 per game. At that rate over his career average of 75 games, Lebron would dish out over 500 assist this year alone. Adding that to his total would put him at 7,338, well past the milestone for his 7,000th assist.

LeBron is already the franchise leader in assists and passed Scottie Pippen last season to become the all-time NBA leader in assists by a front-court player. If he gets this milestone, it would solidify those rankings and would also make him the 16th player in NBA history to reach 7,000 assists.

Feb 1, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) attempts to steal the ball away from Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) during the first half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

1,700th Steal

As a five-time All-NBA Defensive First Teamer, it’s no surprise that LeBron can play some excellent defense. This is only supported by the fact that he has an upcoming milestone in steals. As of right now, he has 1,657, so with just 43 more he can hit 1,700. He has a career average of 1.7 per game, so at that rate over his career average of 75 games, he can steal 129 balls this season. Adding that to his total puts him past the milestone for his 1,700th steal, specifically with 1,786 total. This would also make LeBron the 23rd player in NBA history to record 1,700 steals.

Jun 16, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) blocks the shot by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the fourth quarter in game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

800th Block

One of LeBron’s signature moves is the chase down block (remember his game-saving block in Game 7 of the NBA Finals?), so we know he can protect the rim. After his 13 seasons, LeBron has blocked the ball 773 times and has an average of 0.8 blocks per game. If he can get that number over his career average of 75 games, he can get 60 blocks this season. Adding that to his total puts him at 833, well past the milestone for his 800th block.

May 23, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) goes up to dunk for a basket over Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo (8) in the second quarter in game four of the Eastern conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

28,000th Point

More from King James Gospel

Last but certainly not least, LeBron has a very big upcoming milestone in points. After his 13 seasons in the NBA, LeBron has accumulated a whopping 26,833 points and an astounding average of 27.2 per game. If he scores that number over his career average of games, LeBron can get over 2,000 points this year alone. That would put him at a total of 28,897, well past the milestone for his 28,000th point.

But as he ages, combined with the depth and scoring ability of the rest of the Cavaliers, LeBron averaged slightly less last year at 25.3 per game. Even with that number over 75 games, LeBron would end up with 28,753 points, still past the 28,000th mark.

If LeBron can score that many points, he would become the youngest player to reach 27,000 and 28,000 points. He would also move into the top 10 all-time scoring list, passing Hakeem Olajuwon (#10 with 26,946), Elvin Hayes (#9 with 27,313) and Moses Malone (#8 with 27,409). 

Numbers truly fit for a king.

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