LeBron James explained his motivations behind continuing to play in the NBA in Year 21.
LeBron James had his best performance of the young 2023-24 NBA season so far when he put up 37 points, six rebounds, eight assists, and three steals against the Houston Rockets, scoring 14 fourth-quarter points to help the team win the game. After the game, he reflected upon his constant defying of Father Time and his consistent excellence at an age we haven’t seen before.
“Just trying to push the limit, see how far I can take this thing. I don’t know. It’s me vs. Father Time. I’m trying to change the narrative. Started it off with last year and trying to keep it going. Just the competition, Then I looked over at one point and saw Bronny sitting courtside, too. Then I was like, ‘Ok, I still gotta turn up even more with him in the building.’ So, that was motivating for sure… My teammates joke about me saying I lay the ball too much when I get an open lane. I gotta change that narrative too; I told them I’m not in shape, let me get into more shape.”
If there is any statistical category for a player in Year 21, James is breaking that. With every strong game, he’s charting a new path for NBA players after him who will play as long as him with modern medicine supporting them. James is averaging 26.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 6.5 assists so far and has only missed one game this season.
We may never see something like this again, so it’s important to appreciate the history that LeBron is making every time he steps onto the court. He casually became eighth on the all-time steals list, passing Clyde Drexler for the honor. He’s not even known as a pick-pocket, but it’s a testament to his incredible longevity that he’s this high up on all-time lists for stats like this as well.
Austin Reaves Commends LeBron James For Defying Father Time
What LeBron is achieving on the court a month away from turning 39 years old and in his 21st season is unparalleled. Lakers’ teammate Austin Reaves believes LeBron is fending off Father Time better than anyone he’s ever seen, putting James in the same bracket as NFL legend Tom Brady.
“I remind [LeBron] every day that he’s old in basketball years. I told him that again. He’s fighting Father Time better than anybody who’s played the game other than maybe Tom Brady. He’s playing at a really high level.”
“I remind [LeBron] every day that he’s old… He’s fighting Father Time better than anybody that’s played the game other than maybe Tom Brady.”
—Austin Reaves
(via @michaelcorvoNBA) pic.twitter.com/zxqM5I3Vvg
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 20, 2023
Brady went on to win NFL Championships in his 40s, so it’ll be quite incredible if LeBron can lead the Lakers to the 2025 NBA title as a 40-year-old and clinch Finals MVP. Given the fact his son will be in the NBA by then, James could make that historic accomplishment come through on the court with Bronny.
Where James’ career goes after this season with Bronny’s expected arrival into the league is unknown, but he will be the best or second-best player on any roster in the NBA even at age 40 next season.