Another 5 years of LeBron?

[msgkings322]

From The Athletic: Another half-decade of LeBron?

It’s almost passé at this point to marvel at the impossible legacy of LeBron James, who turned 40 years old yesterday. As Zach Harper wrote in The Bounce, his place on the all-time statistical lists is simply staggering. Yet I raised an eyebrow when I heard James say he could play in the NBA “at a high level” for the next five to seven years if he wanted to — though he said he doesn’t. His full comments yesterday are worth a read. James is averaging 23.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 9.0 assists this season. Just unreal. Also, don’t miss the top 40 moments of his career.

 

[wildturkey]

High level? Not a chance. Advanced numbers already showing he's considerably slipped. Now if he wants to hang around like late career Vince Carter, sure.

 

[DJ Fieri]

High level? Not a chance. Advanced numbers already showing he's considerably slipped. Now if he wants to hang around like late career Vince Carter, sure.

Yeah, VC's last 6 seasons were just a shadow of his former self.

 

[tlance]

High level? Not a chance. Advanced numbers already showing he's considerably slipped. Now if he wants to hang around like late career Vince Carter, sure.

I mean…

I believe it.

High level is in the eye of the beholder.

But I think he could absolutely be a legit starting caliber player on a good team at age 45

Vince Carter comp is crazy. LeBron is better at 40 than Vince was at 29

 

[Sportsguy9695]

As big of a James fan I am if he is starting to go downhill it is definitely time for him to retire. You hate to see a guy hang around when he’s getting older and ruin his teams chances

 

[trojanfan12]

Yeah, I opted out of the "How many years does Lebron have left at a high level?" question about 5 or 6 years ago and I'm not opting back in. Dude is ridiculous.

 

[wildturkey]

I mean…

I believe it.

High level is in the eye of the beholder.

But I think he could absolutely be a legit starting caliber player on a good team at age 45

Vince Carter comp is crazy. LeBron is better at 40 than Vince was at 29

It isn't so much comparing Vince to Lebron as it is about the decline that comes with age that I'm anticipating. He's at an age now where its entirely believeable he could have dramatic dips in his production. Similar to Tom Brady how he looked good into his 40s, people were like he can keep this up X amount of years, but in his final year you could tell he was NOT the player he was anymore and he bowed out gracefully instead of hanging on. I'm anticipating the same will happen with Lebron. He's still playing high level ball now. I could see it going for 1, maybe 2 more years. He could still be good enough to hang onto a roster spot similar to VC (or insert some other old player that held on a long time), I'm talking more about the role than the talent. I could also easily see him trying next year but seeing a dramatic decline.

 

[trojanfan12]

As big of a James fan I am if he is starting to go downhill it is definitely time for him to retire. You hate to see a guy hang around when he’s getting older and ruin his teams chances

Depends...the numbers he's putting up now are all star caliber.

 

[msgkings322]

It isn't so much comparing Vince to Lebron as it is about the decline that comes with age that I'm anticipating. He's at an age now where its entirely believeable he could have dramatic dips in his production. Similar to Tom Brady how he looked good into his 40s, people were like he can keep this up X amount of years, but in his final year you could tell he was NOT the player he was anymore and he bowed out gracefully instead of hanging on. I'm anticipating the same will happen with Lebron. He's still playing high level ball now. I could see it going for 1, maybe 2 more years. He could still be good enough to hang onto a roster spot similar to VC (or insert some other old player that held on a long time), I'm talking more about the role than the talent. I could also easily see him trying next year but seeing a dramatic decline.

LeBron himself said he did not intend to play 5 more years, he just stated that he could do so at a good enough level if he wanted to

 

[shopson67]

As big of a James fan I am if he is starting to go downhill it is definitely time for him to retire. You hate to see a guy hang around when he’s getting older and ruin his teams chances

I think at most he hangs around for Bryce (2026 draft at earliest?). If he wants to hang around, re-signing for less this summer would help boost the roster and lighten his load/minutes. That said, I think having Rui and now DFS on the roster can help reduce his minutes provided the Lakers also add another creator/point behind Reaves (and I guess Vincent is sort of in that role as a reserve, but not really).

 

[shopson67]

High level? Not a chance. Advanced numbers already showing he's considerably slipped. Now if he wants to hang around like late career Vince Carter, sure.

Which advanced stats? I don't see much of a decline from last year. His turnovers are up a bit, but that also coincided with Russell getting benched (making him more of a point). Steals and 3% are down, but that 3% last year was elevated quite a bit. He's not far from his career averages in any of the standard stats.

 

[wildturkey]

Which advanced stats? I don't see much of a decline from last year. His turnovers are up a bit, but that also coincided with Russell getting benched (making him more of a point). Steals and 3% are down, but that 3% last year was elevated quite a bit. He's not far from his career averages in any of the standard stats.

Five Ways LeBron James Is (Finally) Showing His Age

Is Father Time getting the better of the King? Here are the trends, numbers, and graphics that illustrate what the soon-to-be 40-year-old still can—and now can’t—do.

www.theringer.com

 

[Shanemansj13]

Yeah, VC's last 6 seasons were just a shadow of his former self.

Well tbf nobody was ever on his level for as long as he did it. His best now, in his late 30’s, is still better than 99.9% of the league still.
I am not sure what people are expecting. He says still play at a high level and he has done that. That is different than his own ceiling bc that is something nobody can do except very few.
He can probably still average 20+ ppg and 6-7 apg for the next couple seasons. He could transform his game into a PF type like Draymond maybe if he wanted…play on block, take point sometimes and become a more consistent shooter. That would be for his final 2-3 years.

If there is one guy that can do it till 45 and do what most couldn’t do at 35…it’s Lebron. A high level for any 40 year old is getting playing time. What Lebron is doing at 40 is insane so I consider that “a high level”. If he is averaging 15, 5 and 5 in his mid 40’s…that would be a ridiculous high level for that age.

 

[Shanemansj13]

As big of a James fan I am if he is starting to go downhill it is definitely time for him to retire. You hate to see a guy hang around when he’s getting older and ruin his teams chances

Downhill for him is different than a normal players’ though. He could still average 20, 5 and 5 at 42 and most guys at that age would never consider getting on the court at all

 

[Picklerick 2.0]

I mean…

I believe it.

High level is in the eye of the beholder.

But I think he could absolutely be a legit starting caliber player on a good team at age 45

Vince Carter comp is crazy. LeBron is better at 40 than Vince was at 29

But a starter for 30 games a year at 25 minutes? Sure, I guess. But that's not high level availability.

 

[tlance]

But a starter for 30 games a year at 25 minutes? Sure, I guess. But that's not high level availability.

Don’t know why you are assuming that is all he would be able to give.

I don’t think it wise to compare LeBron’s aging to anyone else.

But, because of his size, his ridiculous peak athleticism and his basketball IQ, LeBron at half speed of what he was is still good enough to be a pretty good NBA player.

 

[msgkings322]

I'm sure he can do it since the dude hasn't played defense in a DECADE other the a few chased blocks down. When you spend your career playing on one end of the floor, of course you'll have some longevity especially when you're never held accountable for never playing D . You're not gonna win a title playing with lebron anymore though due to the fact his teams don't play D. He could probably play until 50 if he wants. Won't win anything though. At least not as a top player on the team. If you don't play D and get stops, you don't win titles. Simple as that.

I've missed these insights from you, Dorian

 

[Sportsguy9695]

Depends...the numbers he's putting up now are all star caliber.

I just thought people were saying he may think of retiring

 

[Wamu]

High level? Not a chance. Advanced numbers already showing he's considerably slipped. Now if he wants to hang around like late career Vince Carter, sure.

Carter's final year in the league, his 22nd season, he averaged 5.0 ppg. LeBron's in his 22nd and is averaging 23+.

Vince hung around, his last 6 seasons he didn't average double figures scoring.

You really see LeBron having numbers like that?

 

[Sportsguy9695]

Carter's final year in the league, his 22nd season, he averaged 5.0 ppg. LeBron's in his 22nd and is averaging 23+.

Vince hung around, his last 6 seasons he didn't average double figures scoring.

You really see LeBron having numbers like that?

I would hate to see that happen but it’s possible. With all the younger players coming in