LeBron James is legendary for his longevity. The fact that he has been able to play at the highest level for as long as he has is almost impossible to believe. After next season, LeBron will have finished 20 seasons in the league, and he has been, and so far, he has been an All-Star in 18 of 19 seasons.
Since he entered the league as an 18-year-old, James has been one of the most dominant forces, making it to the NBA Finals on 10 occasions and winning 4 of those. While some may hold that against him, the simple fact that he has been one of the best in the league for this long is a testament to his greatness.
Speaking on the Old Man And The Three podcast with JJ Redick, Kendrick Perkins spoke about LeBron’s longevity and marveled at what he has been able to achieve during his time in the league.
“He just averaged 30 last year. Bro, I’m in my second, like, career. We are the same age. He is still playing. Do you realize, 7, 8 years, we’re both going to be eligible for our pension.”
Perkins was part of the same draft class that LeBron James came to the league in, and he’s been retired long enough to have become a well-known analyst. What LBJ has been able to do is truly unheard of, and his ability to stay this good for this long should always be a factor in the GOAT debate.
James will need more championships if he wants his case to be stronger, but just the fact that those are still possible for him as a leading man even though he is entering his 20th season is truly staggering. People need to give him his flowers while he’s still doing historic things at the highest level.
