If this is it for LeBron James, appreciate how unprecedented he was
LeBron James just completed his 23rd season in the NBA. The Lakers fell short, and now the world awaits James' decision on his future.
If this is indeed it for LeBron James, give him credit for one thing: he was unprecedented, even until the very end. The Oklahoma City Thunder unceremoniously swept James’ Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, May 11 in the conference semifinal round in what might be the final game of James’ storied 23-year career. James has not revealed his future plans, but will turn 42 in December and has been more vulnerable recently about how basketball is affecting his body.
James also has nothing more to prove. What he did this year had never been seen before. Not only did he start all 60 games he played during the regular season (adding 10 more in the postseason), he rewrote the standard for what’s possible for players 40 and older.
In the 46 games he played after turning 41 on Dec. 30, he averaged 21. 1 points, 7.
3 assists and 6. 4 rebounds per contest. Compare that scoring figure with the next closest player, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged just 10.