Some players age like fine wine. And then there is LeBron James, who, even at 41, would probably still be a lottery pick if he were eligible for the 2027 NBA Draft.
James turns 42 in December and is now in his 24th NBA season, an all-time record. No player before him had reached 23 seasons, let alone 24. Even those who managed 22 seasons, such as Vince Carter, or 21, including Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Robert Parish, Chris Paul and Kevin Willis, were well past their prime by the end of their careers. Of those players, Nowitzki had the highest scoring average in his final season, with just 7.3 points per game.
LeBron’s numbers have also declined. Throughout his career, he has never finished a regular season averaging fewer than 20 points per game, but that record is now under threat. Through his first five appearances for the Philadelphia 76ers, he is averaging 16.4 points while shooting an effective field goal percentage (eFG%) of 48.6, his lowest since his rookie season.
His rebounding and assist numbers have also dropped, although he continues to contribute significantly in both areas.
Even so, James is averaging 16.4 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, 1.6 steals and one block per game in his new jersey. Hardly the numbers of a player ready to retire. And last Friday, the veteran star rolled back the years to deliver his best performance yet for Philadelphia.
Age seemed irrelevant as he produced a vintage display against the New York Knicks, the reigning NBA champions, helping the Sixers secure a 98-93 victory.
In 34 minutes, James showcased his impressive athleticism and all-round ability. He drove past Josh Hart for a layup, used his strength against Mikal Bridges in the post to complete a three-point play and recovered on defence to deny OG Anunoby at the rim with a magnificent block.
After the Sixers squandered a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, James stepped up in the closing stages. With Tyrese Maxey also playing a key role, the veteran hit a crucial fadeaway jumper to restore Philadelphia’s lead before adding a late putback to help seal the win.
Power forward is just a name
A look at Basketball-Reference shows just how versatile the man from Akron has been throughout his NBA career. James has played all five positions, adapting his role as his career has progressed.
During his rookie season, he primarily operated as a shooting guard before moving to small forward, the position he would make his own for more than a decade. He also spent time playing as a power forward in Miami alongside Chris Bosh, whose ability to stretch the floor allowed James to operate closer to the basket.
Over the years, he has even taken on responsibilities at centre, using his strength, basketball intelligence and experience to compete against bigger opponents. As his career has progressed, he has become increasingly comfortable adapting his game to different positions.
In Philadelphia, his role will depend largely on Joel Embiid’s availability. When the centre is fit, James is likely to spend much of his time at power forward, moving between the perimeter and the paint as the situation demands.
There is little need for him to play as a traditional point guard, as he did during stretches of his time with the Lakers. He still has the playmaking ability to run the offence when required, but Philadelphia already have an exceptional ball handler in Tyrese Maxey.
In fact, Maxey is arguably one of the best point guards James has played alongside, even considering former teammates such as Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Against the Knicks, several of LeBron’s eight assists came from relatively straightforward passes to Maxey, effectively allowing the younger guard to take charge.
Alongside Jaylen Brown, Maxey has become one of the driving forces behind Philadelphia’s strong start to the season. James, meanwhile, appears increasingly comfortable in a supporting role, contributing across the board without needing to dominate possession.
After the victory over New York, head coach Nick Nurse praised James’ performance, describing it as his best since joining the 76ers.
Records are nothing new for LeBron, who has already achieved almost everything imaginable in the NBA. Nevertheless, his latest performance brought another milestone: he matched Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the fifth-oldest player in league history to score at least 20 points in a game.
Winning a fifth NBA championship with a fourth different franchise, having previously claimed titles with Miami, Cleveland and the Lakers, would be an even more remarkable achievement.
A fantastic first month
The Sixers have opened the campaign with a 6-1 record and sit among the leaders of the Eastern Conference, despite their usual starting five having shared the court in only three games.
They have also beaten the reigning champion Knicks twice, including a victory in New York on opening night.
James joined the Sixers as a free agent partly because of his close friendships with players such as Maxey and his desire to continue competing for championships. After the team’s impressive start, there is every reason to believe he made the right decision.
Speaking after the Knicks game, James expressed how much he was enjoying life with his new teammates. He praised their competitive spirit, work ethic and the positive atmosphere within the group, making it clear how pleased he was with his decision to move to Philadelphia.
James also reflected on the value of his experience in close games. Having played in some of the biggest matches in NBA history, he believes he can provide a calming presence in crucial moments, whether he has the ball in his hands or is helping his teammates make the right decisions.
(Cover photo by Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)