LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is currently in his 21st season in the NBA.
Unlike many other players who were in the league for more than two decades, James is playing a lot of basketball, averaging 35.5 minutes per game.
Speaking on “Mind The Game,” via Legion Hoops, James talked about what it’s like to still be playing at 39 years old.
“Just imagine buying a 2003 Escalade, and it’s 2024, and you never changed the tires,” James said.
LeBron on how it feels to play at 39:
“Just imagine buying a 2003 Escalade, and it’s 2024, and you never changed the tires.”
(via @mindthegamepod / https://t.co/bUqgtT3ycE) pic.twitter.com/nfPqGjJvj1
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 27, 2024
Comparing himself to a 20-year-old car isn’t entirely fair because he is performing far better than a vehicle that has been in use for two decades.
In 2023-24, James is recording 25.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game.
Those are astronomically high numbers for someone his age.
Never before has someone done what James is accomplishing while nearly 40 years old.
He remains the most important part of his team’s lineup and is still hugely consequential.
He is also able to compete at an extremely high level, including against players who are much younger than him.
With that being said, there is no doubt that James is nearing the end of his career in the NBA.
However, there is a good chance that he still has at least several more seasons left in him, which is remarkable considering that will put him in his forties.
Injuries have become a bigger issue for James lately, including a nagging ankle problem that doesn’t seem to go away.
Beyond that, James looks like someone much younger than 39.
He may feel like he’s a car from 2003 but he certainly isn’t moving and playing like one.
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