The Los Angeles Lakers kicked off media day on Monday. Lakers superstar LeBron James made an appearance today in L.A. for his 22nd media day in his career and his seventh with the Lakers.
James will enter his unprecedented 22nd season and, at the same time, his age 40 season. Although James is the elder statesman of not only the Lakers but also the league, he still plays like one of the top players in the NBA.
James showed that this past summer when he led Team USA to a gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 39-year-old said that he still has much left in the tank, and he spoke on that during media day.
James said that he realized playing for Team USA that he has a lot left in the tank as retirement is looming.
It’s unclear how long James will play for, but by that comment, it could be a while from now.
James contemplated retirement after the 2022-23 season and went on the ESPYs to announce he would return for his then 21st season. This past summer, James was asked about retirement and said he was unsure.
“I don’t get asked that much, to be honest,” James said. “Everyone expects me to play 10 more years for some odd reason.”
Nobody takes care of their body more than James, so as long as he does that, he could play a few more seasons if he wanted. The four-time NBA MVP has already defied the odds; why not continue to do so?
In the 2024 Paris Olympics, James averaged 14.2 points, a team-high-tying 8.2 rebounds, and a team-best 10.2 assists. His 10.2 assists per game are the most by an American in Olympic history.
James broke history in the process, becoming one of three American men to have played in at least three Olympics (Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant) and joining the same group as the only three men to own three gold medals.
The Ohio native was also the Paris 2024 MVP and All-Star Five. As always, James played a pivotal role, and the Lakers will need him to do the same this season.
James has shown no signs of slowing down even prior to his fourth career Olympic games. In his sixth season as a Laker, he averaged 25.7 points per game., 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists. and 1.3 steals while shooting 54 percent from the field and a career-high 41 percent from three.
The 20-time All-Star will continue his stellar play in L.A. and look to take them back to the promised land. The odds may not be in their favor, but when you have James on your side, regardless of his age, his team will always have a puncher’s chance.
We may not see James retire anytime soon.
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