LeBron James continues to solidify his legacy as he plays at a high level into his 21st NBA season. Though James is already considered one of the greatest of all time in the sport, he only adds to that legacy by his unique longevity. James already ranks second in NBA history in minutes played, only behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
According to Roland Martin, James’ longevity is almost unmatched across the sports world, especially when it comes to how well he’s played over two decades in the league. For Martin, the best comparison he believes there is to James is Tom Brady.
“Probably the only comparable person to do what LeBron is doing at this stage of his career is Tom Brady in football when you talk about the longevity and STILL playing at a high level.”
— Roland Martin, while speaking with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson.
Martin added that what will make his longevity more special is if his level of play doesn’t drop off as his career winds down to retirement.
“The last year of Tom Brady was not a good one and so I think that’s what the challenge is. And so, obviously [decline] wants to win an NBA championship, but I think he wants to show everyone that you’re not going to see a tremendous decline in the output and quality of play that he has. He is such a great player and he can STILL play at that level in Year 21 when a bunch of cats in Year 1, 2 or 3 would love to play at that level.”
— Roland Martin, while speaking with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson.
With James averaging 25.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per game this season while shooting 53% from the field, it’s clear he is far from done or a shell of his prime.
Like Brady, James’ play has lasted longer than many thought possible. While a player’s late 30s and early 40s were seen as the age when these athletes are expected to fall off, both Brady and James are showing that athletes can still be effective at a later age. Of course, it helps to be as good as Brady and James in the first place, but both prove that it’s possible to age well as an athlete.
