LeBron James, the legendary NBA star, celebrated his 40th birthday on Monday while addressing reporters after a Los Angeles Lakers practice. Reflecting on the milestone, James shared his thoughts about aging in the league and his remarkable journey.
“I had a decade of the 30s, so to just wake up and be like, ‘Oh shoot, oh damn, you’re 40?'” James said, chuckling. “It’s kind of laughable to see where I am, still playing at a high level.”
James is now only the second player in NBA history, alongside Vince Carter, to play 22 seasons. On Tuesday, when he faces his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, James will join the elite group of players who have appeared in an NBA game in their 40s.
Thoughts on Retirement and Longevity
James admitted that he has pondered retirement more frequently but emphasized that he could continue playing at a high level for another five to seven years if he chose to.
“If I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level for about another five to seven years,” James stated. “But I’m not going to do that.”
Despite his age, his current stats back his claim: James is averaging 23.5 points, 9.0 assists, and 7.9 rebounds this season, showcasing his continued dominance.
Achieving Career Milestones
In addition to surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record last season, James fulfilled another dream when he shared the court with his son, Bronny James, on opening night this season.
“You came in as an 18-year-old kid, and now you’re sitting here as a 40-year-old, 22-year vet with a 20-year-old in the NBA,” James said proudly.
James has expressed his primary motivation now is to compete for a fifth championship, aiming to further cement his legacy.
Lakers’ Championship Prospects
James shared his candid assessment of the Lakers’ current state.
“Right now, I think we’re a very good team. Can we win a championship right now? No, I don’t think so. But that’s good because we have so much room for improvement,” he said.
Finishing His Career with the Lakers
While James remains optimistic about the Lakers’ future, he reiterated his desire to finish his career in Los Angeles.
“I would love for it to end here. That would be the plan,” he said. “But I’m also not silly … [not] to know the business of basketball. My relationship with this organization speaks for itself.”
