LeBron James: Tom Brady's 'inspiring' Super Bowl win at 43 doesn't affect his career timeline

Tom Brady just won his seventh Super Bowl in his 21st season in the NFL. LeBron James, who is chasing his fifth championship in his 18th NBA season, acknowledges that watching the 43-year-old quarterback still dominate inspires him, but it doesn't necessarily mean that he's looking to play into his 40s. LeBron is going to let the game tell him when it's time for him to call it quits.

"I've been watching him for quite a while now, and just to see him go out and do the things that he's done in his career, for him to win another one yesterday in the fashion that he won, it was pretty cool," LeBron said after the Lakers' 119-112 overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. "It was very inspiring for a guy like myself. But two different sports, two different positions."

LeBron is currently 36, which, for most players, means that their best years are well behind them and retirement is looming. But like Brady, LeBron has continued to defy the odds and is still playing like he is in his prime, as he is averaging 25.6 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists this season while leading Los Angeles to a 19-6 record. 

After winning the championship with the Lakers, he signed a two-year, $85 million extension that will keep him in Los Angeles through the 2022-23 season. LeBron will be 38 by then and though it would not surprise anyone if he played well beyond then, he said it ultimately isn't up to him.

"The game will let me know when it's time, and we'll figure it out then," LeBron said.