Kevin Durant On 39-Year-Old LeBron James: ‘He’s Still Jumping Pretty High And Running Pretty Fast’

LeBron James (39) is the oldest player in the NBA. He turns 40 in December but is still playing at a high level. 

LeBron was the top player for Team USA during the exhibition games. He took over in the final minutes against South Sudan and Germany, two games that took place after Joel Embiid said, “The LeBron now is not the LeBron that was a couple of years ago. So it’s a big difference. Everybody would also tell you, and you can see for yourself, the athletic LeBron, dominant that he was a couple of years ago, is not the same that he is now.”

Kevin Durant, who hasn’t played yet due to a calf injury, agreed with Embiid that LeBron is not the “old LeBron.”

However, Durant still thinks LeBron — the leading scorer in NBA history — is “jumping pretty high and running pretty fast.”

“The thing about greatness is that you adjust and continue to find ways to be effective,” Durant said, via The Athletic. “That’s what LeBron has done. He’s not running and jumping the same way he was when he was 25, 26 years old, but he’s still jumping pretty high and running pretty fast.”

Team USA has a lot of talent. The roster features Durant, LeBron, Stephen Curry, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, Derrick White, Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, Jrue Holiday and Embiid. 

“We really like the balance on this team of age and experience, and none of that stuff matters other than coming together as a team and bringing the collective competitive force to a higher level,” Team USA head coach Steve Kerr said. “And we’re definitely capable of doing that.”

LeBron will carry the USA flag at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony. The King is the first men’s basketball player to carry the flag for Team USA. 

“It’s an incredible honor to represent the United States on this global stage, especially in a moment that can bring the whole world together,” LeBron said. “For a kid from Akron, this responsibility means everything to not only myself, but to my family, all the kids in my hometown, my teammates, fellow Olympians and so many people across the country with big aspirations. Sports have the power to bring us all together, and I’m proud to be a part of this important moment.”