"I don't think it is going to make or break his résumé" - JJ Redick on the prospect of LeBron James chasing the All-NBA Team for the 22nd season in a row

In life, there have only been a few constants. Death, taxes and LeBron James being named to an All-NBA Team. With his unreal durability and hoop skills, LeBron has set the bar of excellence so high that most voters usually penned the King's name in before the season even began. And with good reason.

However, this year, things are a little different. Injuries have plagued the King's 2025-26 campaign, with Sciatica keeping him out of the Los Angeles Lakers' first 14 games. And although LeBron has returned to action, averaging 14.0 points and 10.0 assists in his first two games, he has a tall mountain to climb if he wants to earn an All-NBA Team citation for a 22nd straight season.

The daunting task before LeBron is to play in 65 of the Lakers' remaining 68 games. At 41 and the tricky balance of managing his body to peak during the playoffs, it's no easy feat. Lakers head coach JJ Redick, though, believes that if ever the incredible streak will get snapped this season, it will not, in any way, shape or form, diminish the King's legacy.

Being part of the All-NBA Team is a profound distinction

Redick is aware of how significant a distinction being named to an All-NBA Team is. While making it to the All-Star Game is an honor, it only reflects a player's performance in the first half of the season. On the other hand, making it to an All-NBA Team means that a player has been consistently performing at an elite level throughout the entire season.

"I mean, historically at least, it's probably a higher designation than being an All-Star," Redick surmised. "I think if you look at Hall of Fame tracking, typically, obviously, it's changing, more and more guys are getting in now, but typically it's the more All-NBA awards you have, the greater your chances, versus having eight All-Star appearances."

However, with the Lakers pursuing a return to the NBA mountaintop this season and poised to do so, thanks to the presence of Slovenian megastar Luka Doncic, the continued ascension of Austin Reaves and the solid play of role players like Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton and Marcus Smart, Redick knows the importance of keeping LeBron's body fresh for the stretch run. That means minutes management, being smart about when and how to use James on the floor.

In addition, he doesn't think that LeBron missing the All-NBA Team this season would matter much regarding how hoop fans would view the overall impact of his career.

"I don't think an All-NBA appearance this year is going to make or break his résumé," Redick said.

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A tall order

If there's anyone who's capable of doing something nobody has ever done before, it's LeBron. However, considering the margin of error — he can only miss three more games between now and April 12 — and the fact that the Purple & Gold have 11 more back-to-back sets left on the schedule, it may not be prudent for him to push hard for an individual award.

In fact, LeBron's longtime friend and agent, Rich Paul, is of the belief that the former shouldn't play in any back-to-backs at all.

"Look, at 41 years of age, I hope he is not playing back-to-backs," Paul stated. "But at the same time, in order for him to make the All-NBA team and things like that ... he can't miss that many more games."

The Lakers have as good a shot as any to win it all this season. They have tremendous talent, depth and most of all, LeBron. However, the King must decide which matters more: a fifth ring or keeping a brilliant streak going?

Related: Kevin Love reveals how LeBron elevated him as a player when he joined the Cavs: "I had bad habits"

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Nov 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.