Why Shortened Schedule Could Help LeBron James Win His First NBA Championship: Fan's View

With the NBA lockout over, the league and players have agreed to play a 66 game schedule in 2011-12, that begins on Christmas Day. That's 16 games less than the usual 82 game schedule. As a fan of the NBA, I've been thinking how that reduced schedule is going to affect various NBA teams and players.

My favorite team, the New Jersey Nets, are playing their last season in New Jersey. So playing fewer games this season means the Nets will play that many fewer games in New Jersey before heading to Brooklyn.

As far as players in the NBA go, the most intriguing question is how will the reduced 66 game schedule affect LeBron James and his quest for his first NBA Championship? LeBron is one of the true iron-man players in NBA history. Here are the top five players in NBA history who have played the most minutes per game.

Most Minutes Played Per Game in NBA History

1. Wilt Chamberlain - 45.8 minutes per game average

2. Bill Russell - 42.29

3. Oscar Robertson - 42.20

4. Allen Iverson - 41.12

5. LeBron James - 40.15

LeBron leads all active players in minutes played per game. He is averaging 2:16 more minutes played per game than second place Andre Iguodala, and 2:60 minutes ahead of teammate Dwyane Wade in third place.

In 2010-11, LeBron James averaged 38.8 minutes played per game in his first season with the Miami Heat. Down slightly from his career average, but up slightly from what he averaged over his last two seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers (38.34).

LeBron Will Likely Play 500 Less Regular Season Minutes in 2011-12

If we use last season's minutes played for LeBron, and project those minutes out for the 66 game season, he will play a total of 2,561 minutes. Playing an 82 game season at the same average, LeBron would have played 3,063 total minutes. So LeBron will end up playing around 500 less total minutes in 2011-12, playing a 66 game schedule.

The 66 game schedule will be compacted into fewer days though. So even though LeBron will be playing a lot fewer total minutes, those minutes will be squeezed into a lot fewer days.

Miami Heat Will Likely Give LeBron Less Minutes Per Game with Compacted Schedule

What I think will happen is that due to the compacted 66 game schedule, the Heat will be forced to play LeBron in fewer minutes per game, on average, in this lockout shortened season. That should help keep LeBron James fresh for the playoffs. Even if LeBron averaged 38.8 minutes played per game, he will still be playing over 500 total minutes less than he played in 2010-11.

Less Total Minutes Played in 2011-12 Should Help LeBron James Quest for a Title

In the end, I think all those less total minutes played this season will help LeBron James be fresh in the playoffs as he tries to win his first NBA Championship.