The flight from Houston landed in Miami at 5 a.m. LeBron James had just played 36 minutes against the Rockets, scoring 30 points on an absurd 13-of-14 shooting. His arthritic left foot needed treatment. His 41-year-old body screamed for rest.
But when the Los Angeles Lakers took the floor against the Miami Heat on Thursday night, No. 23 was in the lineup.
That’s what iron men do.
With his 1,611th career game, James tied Hall of Famer Robert Parish for the most games played in NBA history. It’s a record that stood for nearly 30 years, a testament to durability, consistency, and an almost superhuman commitment to the craft.
LeBron James ties Robert Parish for NBA’s games-played record – ABC7 Los Angeles
And Parish, the man whose name has been atop the list since 1996, couldn’t be happier to share it.
The Chief’s Blessing
Robert Parish—”The Chief”—played 21 seasons. He won four championships. He was the anchor of the Boston Celtics’ dynastic teams of the 1980s. When he set the record in 1996, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 1,560 games, he figured someone would eventually come along.
That someone is LeBron James.
“If anyone is deserving of breaking the iron man record, I would say LeBron James is,” Parish told ESPN during a phone call Thursday. “Because he takes such good care of himself. … His approach to fitness and what he puts into his body reflects, or mirrors, how I felt about my fitness and what I ate, how I took care of myself. And so, it’s a testament to not only my longevity, but LeBron’s longevity.”
Parish averaged 3.7 points and 2.1 rebounds as a 43-year-old in his final season. James entered Thursday averaging 21.4 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.6 rebounds in his 23rd season.
“He’s playing at an All-Star level still,” Parish said, “which is equally impressive.”
The King’s Philosophy
For James, the record isn’t something he chased. It’s a byproduct of his approach to the game.
“It’s not something I set out to do,” he said last week as he approached the milestone. “The one thing that I’ve always had in my mind is that you can’t be a leader and you can’t practice what you preach if you’re not available to your teammates. And I’ve always kind of just prided myself on trying to be as available as possible in my career to my teammates, going out on the floor every night and keeping my body intact.”
That philosophy has guided him through 23 seasons, through injuries that would have ended lesser careers, through the grind of 82-game regular seasons and deep playoff runs.
It’s why he’s still here, still playing at an elite level, still making history.
The Night Before
Wednesday night in Houston was a preview of what James can still do. Thirty points on 13-of-14 shooting, including six dunks. It was the kind of performance that makes you forget he’s 41, that makes you question whether Father Time has actually caught up with him or just decided to take a detour.
The Lakers won 124-116, their seventh straight victory. They’re now 44-25, third in the Western Conference, and playing their best basketball of the season.
And James, despite the late-night flight and the early-morning arrival in Miami, was ready to go again.
The Tribute
Before Thursday’s game, Lakers coach JJ Redick was asked about James’ longevity. His answer captured what makes James special.
“His ability to put so much focus and intent into his day—that’s how you last, that’s how you improve, that’s how you stay healthy and are available to play in that amount of games,” Redick said.
He then paraphrased Heat president Pat Riley’s famous mantra: “Make sure you make the main thing the main thing.”
“And he’s made basketball the main thing for a long time,” Redick added.
The Legacy
Parish was asked where James belongs among the greats. His answer was simple and profound.
“Oh, they got to make room for LeBron,” Parish said. “LeBron is an all-time great. They got to pull up an extra chair and tell some guys to slide over.”
That’s the ultimate compliment from a man who played with Larry Bird, who faced Michael Jordan, who knows what greatness looks like.
The Record
James will likely break the record on Saturday when the Lakers visit the Atlanta Hawks. He’ll stand alone atop the all-time games played list, adding another achievement to a résumé that already includes:
Most points in NBA history
Most All-Star appearances
Four championships
Four Finals MVPs
Four regular-season MVPs
It’s a résumé that few can match. And now, it includes the iron man record.
The Bottom Line
LeBron James didn’t set out to play 1,611 games. He set out to be available for his teammates, to lead, to compete. The games piled up because he never stopped showing up.
Robert Parish understands that. He lived it. And now, he’s passing the torch.
“They got to make room for LeBron.”
Indeed they do.