LeBron James has surpassed all expectations of longevity as he enters his 23rd NBA season, now single-handedly holding the record for most seasons played in the league. But the hard-to-swallow pill for all of his fans is that he is on the precipice of retirement, at age 40, turning 41 in December.
James recently released the second part of his ‘Mind the Game’ podcast episode with Steve Nash, which had Kevin Durant as their guest. In that discussion with Durant, Nash opened up on what it was like to be retired and have the one true passion that made every day worth waking up for, suddenly taken away from him.
In response to Nash’s comments, James details his hilarious plan to convince his (future) grandkids that he scored 101 points in an NBA game. Here’s how their conversation went.
Nash: “You guys are approaching it the right way because there’s someone who’s already gone over the other side, right? Like, there’s a lot of reward in life. Like, there are a lot of things to enjoy, to challenge yourself with, but this is special. Like it’s hard to replicate this once it’s done. Yeah, you have family or you have new interests, endeavors, but to be the best in the world or thereabouts at something and to fight for it every day and have that passion to want to get up and do it and think about it going to bed.”
Durant: “There’s nothing like it.”
Nash: “Yeah, there’s nothing like it. And when it’s gone, it’s–like you guys will both do great things when you’re done playing. You’re both already incredible at business, at life. Once you’re done playing, you’re done playing. That never comes back. So getting every drop out of it, one, I think, is the right approach. Two, it makes it okay when it’s over.”
James: “I can’t wait to hold up the sign with my grandkids that I scored 101 points in the game before.”
Nash: “It’s coming.”
James: “Yeah, for sure. Matter of fact, we should take it right now so I can just I can hold it up—“
Durant: “What, they’re not going to believe you?”
James: “Right. That’s what I’m saying— I passed Kobe.”
While James is clearly joking, he seems to also take a subtle jab at Wilt Chamberlain in the process. Chamberlain’s 100-point game in the NBA is widely questioned in the modern era, as there is no video or photographic evidence of that game except the game’s box score, a partial audio recording, and a picture of Chamberlain holding a sign that says 100.
James seems to be subtly taking a shot at how that is considered enough evidence to convince people that the 100-point game happened in the first place. Near the end of the segment as well, despite beating Chamberlain’s record by 1 point in his future hypothetical, James seemingly says he beat Kobe Bryant’s record of 81 points, not Chamberlain’s 100-point record. Hence, subtly refuting that the game ever happened in the first place.
While all of this is just conjecture, it can definitely be said that we are witnessing the transformation of LeBron James into his ‘Unc’ era in the NBA. He recently went golfing, a retired man’s most common sport, and was seen singing old-school songs in a viral party video.
James seems to be embracing his aging process like fine wine. James has the personality of being the fun grandfather or uncle in his future. Entering the final year of his contract with the Lakers and reportedly drifting apart from their front office, if James is not traded or extended this season, he will likely become a free agent next summer.
James has played 22 seasons in his career, where he has averaged 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists. Do you think James will finally call it quits after this season? It seems imminent that he will, but with James, you never know.
