LeBron James may be entering his 23rd NBA season, but the game still gives him the same thrill it did as a kid. On ‘The Main Thing’ podcast, the Lakers star described how training and stepping on the court continue to feel brand new, saying the sights and sounds of basketball still bring him joy.
“I love to train still. I love to go out and feel the basketball, get on the court, watch the ball float in the air and go through the net, hear the ball bounce, hear the shoes screech on the floor,” LeBron said. “It still feels like the first time I picked up a ball. It still feels like the first time I stepped into a middle school gym, then a high school gym as a freshman. I still have those rookie feelings from when I was first drafted to the pros. I still wake up early in the morning, I pack my bag, and then when I hit the court it’s still a beautiful feeling.”
After 22 years in the NBA, it’d be easy for LeBron to take the game for granted. As a four-time champion, four-time MVP, and 21x All-Star, he’s got nothing left to prove as a pro. With career averages of 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game LeBron has done it all and his case as the NBA’s GOAT has never been stronger.
In his position, it would be perfectly reasonable for LeBron to retire and never look back. Instead, he’s committed to his 23rd NBA season with potentially many more to come. Even at nearly 41 years old, James is active in the league and he’s setting the example both on and off the court for teammates who are almost two decades younger.
Besides a naturally durable body, the key to LeBron’s longevity is tied to his work ethic. Unlike some of his other peers, LeBron enjoys the process of working out and honing his craft. He relishes his time in the gym and still gets excited about an upcoming training routine.
This work is how James is able to keep himself and his body in peak shape before, during, and after the season. Whether it’s in the gym or on the court, LeBron’s drive to self-improvement keeps him a tier above his competitors and ensures he finds new ways to stay effective this late into his career.
Naturally, these feelings will fade as LeBron gets older. Eventually, there will be a point where his body is unable to hold up and offseason training might start to feel like more of a grind than a necessary part of the process. When that switch happens, it’ll be the ultimate signal for LeBron that it’s time to call it quits and end his storied career.
At this stage, LeBron’s legacy is already untouchable. Whether he plays one more season or five, nothing can erase what he’s accomplished or the standard he’s set for the game. What makes it special now is that he’s still chasing the work, still finding joy in the grind like it’s day one. That kind of love is rare, and it’s why every extra year feels like a gift for the Lakers, the NBA, and basketball fans everywhere.
