LeBron James Continues to Defy Age as NBA’s Oldest Player

LeBron James, at 39, will be the oldest player in the National Basketball Association (NBA) this season. His new head coach, J.J. Redick, humorously acknowledged James’s age on Thursday. Speaking to reporters, Redick stated that James would not play that day due to rest, and added, “DNP – Old… Taking it out of Pop’s book,” referencing a strategy often employed by Gregg Popovich, the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs, to rest veteran players.

Although James is set to turn 40 in December, he continues to perform at an extraordinary level. Last season, his 21st in the NBA, he participated in 72 games. This marked the most he has played in a season since the 2017-2018 campaign when he played all 82 games. During this period, James averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game. Under his leadership, the Los Angeles Lakers achieved a 47-35 record and secured a spot in the playoffs, although they were eliminated in the first round by the Denver Nuggets.

In the current preseason, James has played limited minutes, and it comes as no surprise that he opted to sit out the game on Thursday to preserve his energy for the demanding upcoming season. His future in the sport remains uncertain, yet he appears poised to offer another productive season, further solidifying his impressive career.

The possibility of capturing another championship could enhance James’s standing in the ongoing debate over the greatest basketball player of all time, though it poses a challenge. The Western Conference this year is notably competitive with teams like the Dallas Mavericks, the defending Western Conference champions. Also in the mix are the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team showing significant improvement, and the youthful Oklahoma City Thunder, eager to establish themselves.

As basketball enthusiasts have seen over the past 20 years, any team led by James is perpetually considered a contender. He is prepared to demonstrate this point once more this season.