LeBron James Might Be Having A Better Season At 40 Years Old Than His 2012-13 MVP Season

LeBron James could've become the first unanimous MVP in NBA history with his incredible season with the Miami Heat in 2012-12. A 28-year-old James was coming off his first NBA title and dominated the NBA, ending the season with the trifecta of league MVP, Finals MVP, and NBA Champion.

Many people argue that this version of LeBron was the absolute best version we have ever seen, as LeBron averaged 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. His defensive output was second to none, finishing second in the DPOY race in what could've been one of the greatest single seasons in NBA history. 

He received 99 out of 100 first-place MVP votes this season.

While people consistently bring up this version of LeBron when talking about his peak, few people consider if LeBron is in his peak right now. The Lakers forward has turned up at a high level since turning 40 years old on December 30, 2024. He's playing so well that he is replicating the stats we saw from him in his 'prime.'

In 27 games since turning 40, James is averaging 26.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 8.1 assists. 

The team has a 19-8 win record in that span and they're the best defense in the NBA over this stretch as well. While LeBron isn't a DPOY-caliber defender like he was in 12-13, he's playing some of the best defense we've seen from him in the last six seasons.

There are strong factors to consider when comparing stats from two different eras of basketball, as those numbers in the early 2010s were among the league's best while they don't cut the mustard anymore. LeBron's scoring average since turning 40 would have him as the eighth-best scorer in the NBA, tied with Jalen Brunson.

But it's also clear that James isn't extinguishing his tank trying to compete on the court, playing an incredibly efficient brand of basketball. He's shooting 54.1% from the field and 42.3% from three at 40, compared to 56.5% from the field and 40.2% from three in his final MVP season. 

LeBron Is Playing At An MVP Level In 2025

We are watching NBA history be made with the level at which LeBron has performed since his birthday in December. We have never seen a player in Year 22 of their career average over 10 points, let alone 25 points like LeBron has for the whole season. 

Michael Jordan averaged 20 points at age 40 on a Washington Wizards squad that couldn't make the Playoffs in the East. LeBron is doing what he's doing right now after his team lost their defensive anchor in a midseason trade and somehow improved to the No. 2 seed shortly after. James is going back to the Playoffs and will likely do it with a home-court seed in the first round.

His aforementioned numbers would get him MVP recognition in almost every season before 2018. However, these numbers don't get you an MVP with the modern explosion of NBA stats due to an increased reliance on three-pointers.

James' stats aren't worth the MVP conversation given Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 32.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, and Nikola Jokic is averaging 28.9 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists. Nonetheless, James' numbers do likely guarantee another All-NBA selection, likely on the Second Team, but it could be a First Team nomination if the Lakers continue their strong form.

His numbers are aided by the style of basketball in the modern NBA, but questioning his validity as a winning player to this day is foolish. A 40-year-old LeBron likely wouldn't average 26-8-8 in 2013 due to the nature of the game, but he'd still be among the most impactful players in the NBA.