We don’t discuss LeBron James enough.
Could it be that one of the biggest stories in the NBA is also one of the least covered? When it comes to LeBron James, that certainly seems to be the case.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers will face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opening game of James’ 22nd season, which will tie him with Vince Carter for the most seasons played in NBA history. His longevity is remarkable—only six players have played at least 20 seasons in the league. What’s even more impressive is that James remains one of the league’s top stars, recognized as a consensus top-10 player just months after winning MVP at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
As someone who has followed James since his high school days, I can’t watch him play without thinking at least once, “How is he still performing like this? He’s almost 40! How is this not one of the biggest stories in sports and science?”
What’s even more astonishing is that I’ve been having this thought for at least the past five years. Despite its remarkable nature, it seems James’ longevity is often overlooked, even though it may be one of the most impressive aspects of his career. We tend to focus on his involvement in the Lakers’ offseason moves and his subtle social media posts, yet we often take for granted that he’s not only been playing as long as anyone else in the league but is still excelling at an incredibly high level.
Consider the recent buzz surrounding LeBron James, particularly the anticipation of him and his son, Bronny James, becoming the first father-son duo to play on the same NBA court, likely happening this Tuesday. Much of the discussion has revolved around how the Lakers facilitated this moment and whether Bronny is truly NBA-ready. However, what’s often overlooked is the remarkable fact that LeBron, at 39, is still an active and elite player in the league.
Many sons of former NBA players, like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Devin Booker, are currently making their mark in the league, so the emergence of second-generation players isn’t unusual. What is rare is a player competing long enough to share the court with his son while still being among the league’s top performers.
Having followed LeBron for nearly 25 years, I recognize the potential reactions to this column, as the notion that he’s underreported at this stage of his career seems absurd. Despite being on a team likely vying for a Play-In Tournament spot, he remains the NBA’s most prominent figure, a constant topic on shows like Get Up and First Take.
However, much of the dialogue about LeBron tends to focus on minute details rather than the bigger picture. This may be due to the fact that expressing awe isn’t always captivating television, and we’re past the point of fully appreciating the extraordinary longevity of his career.
I’m not suggesting that LeBron should headline SportsCenter every night (though, from a news perspective, one could argue for it). Instead, I urge NBA fans to recognize the historic nature of what we’re witnessing every season he plays. Eventually, he won’t be on the court anymore, and as clichéd as it may sound, we won’t see anything like it again.
