When LeBron James broke a big NBA record earlier this month, his teammates on the Los Angeles Lakers joked with him like they usually do. “They told me I’m old as hell,” he laughed. By basketball standards, he is. He started playing in the NBA almost 22 years ago as “The Kid from Akron.” Now, he’s a 40-year-old guy from Los Angeles with some gray in his beard. He turns 40 on Monday, making him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s, and now 40s!
Other sports have seen this before, like baseball and hockey, but no one in the NFL or NBA has done it until now. “In some ways, he’s a freak of nature,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “I’ve been around a lot of great players, and he just works really, really hard. He doesn’t take days off.”
Turning 40 in NBA terms usually means that a player is nearing the end of their career. James will be only the 30th player to play while being 40. Most people don’t perform well at this age. Only a handful of players, including legends like Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, have had good seasons after turning 40.
But LeBron is still playing at a superstar level, with averages of 23.5 points, 9 assists, and 7.5 rebounds per game. Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said: “He could slow the game down and last for another decade, using his experience.”
No one knows when James will stop playing, and things are getting tougher. He wanted to play all 82 games this season but couldn’t due to various challenges. Despite being criticized for his team’s struggles and the dramas around his son Bronny being picked in the draft, he continues to perform.
“It’s much harder for older stars like LeBron and Stephen Curry to stay competitive,” said Golden State coach Steve Kerr. “There’s a reason players have to retire.”
LeBron spends a lot to keep his body in shape, over $1.5 million a year, showing everyone how to play for a long time. “What he’s achieved is amazing and has never been seen before,” said Giannis Antetokounmpo.
LeBron has plenty of achievements: he’s the all-time top scorer in the NBA, won championships, Olympic medals, and has a net worth over $1 billion.
As he turns 40, the question becomes: what do you give a guy who has everything? Bronny James joked, “I have no idea.”
LeBron has mentioned that he hints at retiring someday. “Don’t make me feel old!” he joked, but says he won’t play forever because he respects the game.
He scored more points in his teens, 20s, and almost in his 30s, and now he’s still going strong at 40. Fans are excited every time he plays, knowing they’re watching one of the greatest players ever.
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