LeBron James hit the big 4-0 in December but that doesn’t mean the Lakers star is ready for the NBA rocking chair. Far from it, based on his continued high level of play.
So when will James retire? Not even he seems to know. Or if he does know, he isn’t saying.
“It’s popping up more and more every year,” James said of retirement talk on the Pat McAfee Show. “Obviously, I know that I’m on the other side of the hill than the other side. For me, it’s about my mind. I’m all about the process. If it gets to the point where I don’t feel like showing up to the arena five hours in advance. Or I don’t feel like training. Or I don’t feel like studying the scout sheet of guys. If it gets to that point, I’ll know, ‘You know what, Bron, that’s a wrap.’ I will be able to tell.”
James is 6-foot-8 and among the best athletes in world history. That much you know. But what a lot of people don’t seem to realize in the countless hours he logs, often alone, in the gym. The older you get, the harder those workouts can be. In theory, anyway. Perhaps maybe not when your name is LeBron James.
Either way, many suspect James’ future will hinge on not only how well he continues to perform, but also on how the Lakers fare.
Right now, Los Angeles (43-28) sits in fifth place in the Western Conference standings, having won just three of the past 10 entering Wednesday’s game at Indiana.
As it stands, James is the only player to rank in the NBA top five all-time in both points and assists. He’s also the lone player to have at least 40,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 career assists.
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