LeBron James is arguably the greatest athlete in professional sports. As he progresses into his 40s, his retirement draws closer, but he is getting the love he deserves from everywhere. He is a sports icon, enough for fellow icon Tom Brady to name him the best.
It has been 22 years since LeBron James debuted, but he remains one of the NBA’s best players. That is unparalleled, as his longevity is second to none. He has been elite for the entirety of his career, which could propel him to the pinnacle of basketball.
Many people appreciate what he has done for the sport, considering it has kept growing in the past two decades. With his accomplishments and overall impact, it is not outrageous to brand him as the GOAT. However, that will only intensify the ever-present debate between him and Michael Jordan.
Fellow sports icon Tom Brady is also an all-time great in his sport. He thinks James is the greatest, even if he is in the twilight years of his career.
It is easy to see why James is a GOAT candidate. He has played in the NBA for over two decades, but he has not slowed down. It is one of the most impressive careers in sports because he is consistently excellent. The metrics prove it, as he has better numbers than his GOAT rival.
At the same time, James also has a special impact on the young athletes who look up to him. This includes the younger players, some of whom were not even born when James started his NBA career.
One of those players is Victor Wembanyama, who was on the same panel. Wembanyama is already a high-potential player who could be James’ successor. However, the standards are high, considering Brady hailed James as the greatest.
“The intensity that’s been on him, the Olympics, and the different teams he’s been on. He’s always done things the right way, he’s always risen above all the noise and the BS and continued to deliver,” Brady said on The Shop.
“You’re witnessing the Greatest ever, and I hope you guys all appreciate that.”
Since he is in his 40s, there are always rumors about a potential retirement. James has constantly proven he can go for many more years, but “Father Time” is undefeated.
The Los Angeles Lakers would love to keep him due to his productivity and marketability. However, there will come a time when he will need to retire. James knows he does not have many years left, but he will maximize every bit of his time.
However, it will be an easier decision for him if players like Wembanyama keep showcasing their talent.
“I can’t play that much further. The more & more times that I play, as long as he (Wembanyama) keeps smashing my shots into the stands, it’s gonna make me retire,” James said on The Shop about his future retirement.
It will be a sad day in the NBA when James retires. He is a great representative for the league, and he has done well to spearhead the NBA’s growth. He has plenty of potential successors, including Wembanyama and Anthony Edwards. However, it will be difficult to follow up on his example.
