'I Know Basketball': Tim Hardaway Picks Prime Dwyane Wade Over LeBron James

While Hardaway said that it was his subjective opinion, he also added that facts supported his claim.

Wade played his best NBA season in 2008-09, when he finished 3rd in MVP voting.

During that year, he averaged 30.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 49.1% from the field in 79 games. Wade also finished 3rd in Defensive Player of the Year voting and made the All-Defensive second team.

While it is difficult to determine LeBron’s peak season, let’s take the same year that the Heat legend peaked. During the 2008-09 season, James averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 48.9% from the field.

James won his first MVP in the same season and finished 2nd in the DPOY award, and made the All-Defensive First Team.

James and Wade were part of the same 2003 NBA Draft.

However, the Miami Heat legend won his first NBA championship and NBA Finals MVP in his third year. James won his first title in his ninth year in the league as ‌part of the Heat and as Wade’s teammate.

Tim Hardaway showers praise on LeBron James’ longevity, gives verdict on Lakers star’s retirement

It is hard to deny LeBron’s own claim that he has defeated Father Time. He is still dunking at age 41 and led a shorthanded Lakers past the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. He is inarguably the best oldest player in league history. 

“What he has done is phenomenal,” Hardaway said during an exclusive interview.

“He just keeps defying people. He keeps defying Father Time. And a big part of it is that he’s healthy. At that age, guys just aren’t jumping like that anymore. They don’t have that kind of athleticism anymore. But he still does.”

Since LeBron’s 23rd season came to an end after getting swept by the OKC Thunder, his retirement and particularly his future have become a big topic in the NBA.

While James’ future in the league is uncertain, Hardaway said the decision about the future should rest with the superstar player.

“So for me, I just say enjoy it,” Hardaway said. “Let him decide each day what he wants to do based on how his body feels. But I do know this – he’s not going to just quit. He’s going to let people know when it’s his last year, and when he does, he deserves that farewell tour in every city.”

Last month, The Athletic reported that this season could have been his last. In his exit interview, James said that he had not made a final decision about his future and would discuss it with his family before making his decision.