Following his defeat in the Western Conference Finals, LeBron James hinted at retirement in his exit interview with reporters. While the development was a shock to some, most fans and experts agreed that LeBron was speaking more out of frustration than honest, objective truth.
Yesterday, James confirmed those suspicions during a speech at the ESPYs that got pretty intense all around. LeBron revealed that he would not be retiring this summer, but the fashion in which he made the announcement rubbed many folks the wrong way, including FOX Sports analyst Colin Cowherd.
“It was kinda over the top. Lucky for us. Standing ovation, playing to the crowd, I get it. I understand it’s a star-driven league but how about we make something cool in 2024 and beyond — an occasional moment of humility by a pro athlete? It’s a little cringy. And how ‘lucky’ are we? There’s a lot of good players in this league, and one of them just swept you.”
"How about we make something cool in 2024 and beyond — occasional moment of humility by a pro athlete."
— @ColinCowherd on LeBron addressing he will officially return for 21st season pic.twitter.com/F8nGDjm5B7
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) July 13, 2023
As, arguably, the biggest sports star on the planet, LeBron’s playing status is obviously something to monitor, but he might be better off playing it down than making a big deal about it every single summer.
At this point, we all know the end is near for King James, but he may still have years left as a star-level player in the NBA, and he’s not about to let them go to waste.
How Much Longer Will LeBron Play?
Now that the retirement question is settled, fans are already trying to guess how much longer James will keep this going. Obviously, the Lakers are planning for him to be around for a while, and LeBron himself has expressed a deep desire to share the court with his son one day.
So as long as James is still willing to put in the work to keep himself in shape, he could extend his career for several more years.
“He’s one guy that I’m not going to say no about,” said Rich Paul. “I think it’s important to understand what really motivates him. I know it, obviously I’ve been around him for so long that I can tell you what his day probably looks like without even talking to him. As long as his mind is there, as long as he’s still excited about playing in the NBA — in addition to his health — absolutely.”
Love him or hate him, LeBron James isn’t going anywhere. While some humility might be best right now, he knows how important he is to the NBA and that his absence from the league will signal the start of a new era for the game.
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