In a recent post-game interview, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James addressed his future in the NBA, making it clear that he won’t play until he isn’t physically able to no more:
“I won’t do it until the wheels fall off, I’ll tell you that. I won’t be one of those guys,” James stated firmly.
At 39 years old, James continues to defy expectations, averaging 23.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per game this season.
His recent back-to-back triple-doubles have made him the oldest player in NBA history to achieve this feat. Despite the physical toll, James remains committed to giving his all to the game.
“It’s pretty cool that with the amount of miles I’ve put on the tires and the lack of tread that’s on these tires and I’m still able to get up and down the highway and do it at a high level. I just try to give everything to the game outside of the game before the game even starts, if that makes sense. I arrive here four or five hours before the game and I’m already starting to do all the things to put me in position to be the best I can be when the fans are in here and the ball is tipped and everybody’s going crazy. I’ve been blessed by the man above with some out-of-this-world ability from the beginning and then I took full advantage of it. I wasn’t going to disrespect what he’s given me. “
LeBron James, after becoming the oldest player in NBA history to record back-to-back triple-doubles by hanging 19 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds a month shy of his 40th birthday spoke about how much he has left: “I won’t do it until the wheels fall off, I’ll tell you that.” pic.twitter.com/ph6NUKIOoN
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 11, 2024
James emphasized that he wants to continue playing as long as he can perform at a high level, rather than hanging on until his skills significantly decline.
As LeBron James continues to push the boundaries of longevity in professional sports, fans and analysts alike are left wondering just how much longer this basketball legend will continue to dominate the court. One thing is for sure: LeBron James won’t be going quietly into the night.
