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?