LeBron James is already 39 years old, so he knows very well that he doesn’t have much time left in the NBA. The superstar forward once again reiterated that belief after leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a dominant victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
James looked nowhere near like a guy who’s on his last legs and retiring sooner rather than later, but the Purple and Gold icon doesn’t want his fans to be fooled by that.
LeBron James Opens Up About How Much Time He Has Left in NBA
Speaking to reporters postgame, James was asked how much longer he’ll play in the NBA. The four-time champion didn’t hold back in sharing that he doesn’t “have much time left,” though he remains unsure when exactly he’ll call it a career.
“Not very long. I’m on the other side of the heel. I’m not going to play another 21 years. That’s for damn sure. Not very long. I don’t know when that door will close as far as when I retire, but I don’t have much time left,” James said, per Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype.
Sure enough, it isn’t really a surprise why James is already pondering his remaining days in the NBA. He’s already in his 21st year in the league, and there’s really nothing much left to prove for him.
It is also worth noting how much of a physical toll consistently playing at a high level has had on James’ body. LeBron opened up about it recently, comparing himself to a 2003 Escalade that has been running until 2024 without changing tires.
“At 39, I think I have like 70,000 minutes. I was explaining to my wife the other day, she asked me how am I feeling when I came home after a game. I said babe, just imagine buying a 2003 Escalade, and it’s 2024, and you’ve never changed the tires, so rub my feet please,” James said early in the wee.
“And I’ve never changed the tires, these are the same tires from 2003, so can I do it every night? I don’t want to say I could do it for a whole game. I mean I’ll take the challenge for sure, but that’s just, I’m a competitor, I was born that way, I was taught that way, I’ll f**king die on the court because I just love it so much. Am I being realistic? I got to pick my spots, definitely got to pick my spots.”
LeBron James Turns Back the Clock in Los Angeles Lakers’ Win vs. Brooklyn Nets
Despite admitting that he doesn’t have much time left and that a retirement could be on the horizon, LeBron James made sure to emphasize in the game that he’s still a force to be reckoned with as long as he’s on the court.
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar exploded for 40 points on 13-of-17 shooting from the field. He also tallied seven rebounds and five assists as LA pulled away for the 116-104 win.
With his performance, James also surpassed Michael Jordan’s record for the most 30-point games in NBA history with his 672nd. The Lakers star also now has the most 40-point games at age 38-plus, a prove of his longevity and sustained dominance.
It was definitely a vintage performance from James. And while he said he’s nearing his end in the NBA, he’s definitely not making it look like he’s struggling or having a hard time at all.
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