The King’s Reign Is Coming To An End
After 22 years and thousands of NBA games, LeBron James keeps getting closer and closer to finally hanging up the jersey for good. The most polarizing NBA superstar over the last two decades is slowly getting to the end of a hall of fame career that many argue is the greatest the game has ever seen. With the Los Angeles Lakers down 3-1 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs, it’s likely that this is the best LeBron James we will see for the rest of his career.
As many current NBA legends start looking at the end of the road in the next few years, James’s playoff run this year has shown that he can still produce at a very high level. But it’s also very apparent that he has to pick and choose when and where to expend his limited energy, especially with teams as young and aggressive as the Timberwolves.
As he heads into his 23rd season and closes in on turning 41, he’s one of only two players in NBA history to average over 20 points per game after turning 40. So, who was the only other player to accomplish that? Well, that would be Michael Jordan.
LeBron has averaged 25 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game since turning 40 years old, which puts him ahead of Jordan’s average of 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists per game.
When James has been asked about retiring in recent years, it’s typically the same response as he had a few years ago at the ESPY Awards.
“I don’t care about how many points I score, or what I can or cannot do on the floor. The real question for me is: can i play without cheating this game? The day I can’t give everything on the floor is the day I’ll be done.”
Career accomplishments:
4X Champion – 2013, 2013, 2016, 2020
4X NBA Finals MVP
4X NBA MVP – 2009,2010,2012,2013
3X Olympic Gold Medalist,
21X All Star
13X All-NBA First Team
Leader in All Time Playoff Points – 8,267
Leader in All Time Playoff Minutes – 12,021
2nd All Time in Playoff Assists – 2089
4th All Time Playoff Rebounds – 2,621
1st in All Time Points – 42,184
4th All Time Assists – 11,584
1st in Career Minutes – 59,040
1st in Games Played – 1,562
LeBron has often talked in the last few years about how he doesn’t want to play until the wheels fall off but would rather go out on a higher note and not be seen as a relic of days long past. That to him would be cheating the game, as well as his fans and the game of basketball itself.
When LeBron Leaves, Who Will Rule?
LeBron James has maybe one or two solid seasons left and will continue to add to his historic resume’ in the meantime. While he isn’t retired quite yet, fans should be very aware that despite his team being down 3-1 in a playoffs series in which they were favored to win, he’s still playing at an All-Star level. While that’s certainly something to celebrate, fans should also embrace this playoff run as the most likely the best we will see James play for the rest of his career.
The same can be said about other stars that have been in the league as long as anyone can remember. Players like James Harden, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Damian Lillard, and DeMar Derozan will be likely retiring within two or three seasons.
But who will step up to rule the soon-to-be vacant throne? Will it be Anthony Edwards, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, or Luka Doncic? The league is at a very interesting tipping point currently in terms of its current and future star power.
While the young guys are certainly exciting to watch, and light up the scoreboard every night, the feelings of nostalgia begin to creep in while watching some of the players that were drafted in the early 2000’s that are still competing for a title. Fans of players like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Chris Paul begin to wonder if the next generation of players can stack up to the previous ear of legends that’s existed for the last two-plus decades. By the time KD, LeBron, and Steph Curry retire, that question could very well be answered.
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