How long can LeBron James play?

(News4usonline) – LeBron James continues to defy logic. James is playing his 21st season in the NBA. Last season, his 20th year in the league, James put up mind-boggling numbers like 28.9 points and 8.3 rebounds a game. So how will he perform in season 21? I’m not sure, but we will find out. 

It’s a great debate of how long someone playing professional sports would continue to play in their respective sport. This is a topic for just about any topic and any sport.  There’s a laundry list. Basketball, football, baseball, soccer, track and field, and beyond.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (6) flies to the basket against the Los Angeles Clippers. Photo by Mark Hammond/News4usonline
Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (6) flies to the basket against the Los Angeles Clippers. Photo by Mark Hammond/News4usonline

I think throughout the years there is always a question of how long an athlete that plays professionally should continue to play. In retrospect, James, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar, now faces this dilemma.

This invites the question: How long can James go? Will James call it quits after this season or will he do the Tom Brady thing and play into his forties? 

There is a range of time periods in which athletes play professionally, and it’s not too large of a window. I find it to be pretty cool to be athletic enough, and gifted enough to have a chance to play sports professionally. Whether it’s a short-term contract or it’s an extended period of time these gifted players have had a chance to create a spark and or influence the sports world.

I believe there has been a short list of players, who have had the fortitude to play for a couple of decades. However, that’s not the norm. Most athletes have short careers professionally. When someone is able to play beyond what they should, these athletes have reached, in my opinion, a level exceeded.

At one point, these athletes command mega attention from the media as well as fans and become a marketing dream as they are elevated to star status as they compete for their respective teams.

The game of basketball has grown internationally and you can see the influence of the game spread out to many places across the globe. As we prepare for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, we will see a boost not only in the game of basketball but in all sports. The Olympics will bring about comradery, competitiveness, and cultural pride.

Basketball itself has grown tremendously and it has spread through many generations. Children of all ages of both genders have favored the game for a multitude of reasons. The game is played so colorfully and artistically that there’s an appreciation for the sport in its entirety.

When we talk about James, I think one can appreciate his strength and patience in the ability to have such longevity in the game of basketball. By playing for more than two decades in the NBA, this fact might be shocking for some people because he looks to be in excellent health. James continues to compete each season, continues to play healthy, and continues to play well.

However, I believe naturally through its circumstances people are starting to wonder and question how long James will continue to play, even though he led the Lakers to the Western Conference Finals last season after putting up stupendous numbers in the regular season. 

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) goes to the basket against the Denver Nuggets. Photo credit: Mark Hammond/News4usonline

We have had an opportunity to see a collection of mercurial basketball talent that James has played with and against during his career and he continues to play at a high level. To put things into proper perspective, James has gone up against Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and the late Kobe Bryant, to name a few.

He has also played alongside elite ballers like Ray Allen, Anthony Davis (current teammates), Rajon Rondo, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Kyrie Irving, Shaquille O’Neal, and Carmelo Anthony.

His style of play motivates many, and I think the majority of not only basketball fans but the sports world at hand, would like and expect something cool to happen for James after all of the years and games he’s played and entertained us. He’s given so much to fans all over the world and sacrificed a lot.

Each game that James plays this season could be viewed as a must-see TV event, Viewership could be high as it should be as we watch one of our world’s best do his thing on the basketball court.

Lead photo image: Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James at the podium speaking to reporters during the team’s media day on Oct. 2, 2023, in El Segundo, California. Photo credit: Javier Rojas/PRENSA INTERNACIONAL


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