In two different timelines, LeBron James and Victor Wembanyama are delivering a groundbreaking season for themselves.
At age 40 and despite past regression, the unfading James continues to defy Father Time for the Los Angeles Lakers. In his 22nd season, the basketball great remains stellar in his on-court play, averaging 23.8 points, 8.8 assists, and 7.7 boards across 34.9 minutes in 33 games.
As for Wembanyama, his meteoric rise continues as the next face of the NBA. From a groundbreaking rookie campaign last 2023-24, the French wunderkind has taken a massive leap this year with a stat line of 25.1 points, 10.8 boards, 3.8 assists, and a league-leading 4.0 blocks.
With how phenomenal they’ve been playing thus far this year, this leaves us the notion on who is much more impressive between James and Wembanyama.
This question was offered to Brian Windhorst in the latest segment of the NBA Today. And by considering the rarity of James’ sustained excellence at this stage of career, the ESPN expert easily identified the Lakers superstar as his choice.
“That you could even ask this question is an incredible compliment to both of them, Windhorst said. “I would say we have never seen a player play this level of basketball before at the age 40 like LeBron is. The dunk that he had last week shortly after his birthday, we’ve just not seen it.”
“We’ve seen a handful of players reach their 40th birthday, but not be bona fide All-Stars at that level. Certainly LeBron is my answer – although I would say what Victor is doing has not been done by many people his age.”
For his continuous productive play, James simply set the standard for longevity in the NBA. No other player has achieved this active rate of performance. While most of his peers from the likes of Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony are now enjoying retirement, he meanwhile remains as one of the best in the business since entering the league in 2003
Nevertheless, James’s unbelievable current state won’t diminish the fact that Wemby’s second year is also worth acknowledging. The San Antonio Spurs sensation’s ongoing season is special in its own way which can only thrill us with what would be more to come in the next couple of years.
At the end of the day, this 2024-25 season is a blessing for the entire basketball world as it presents us two of the best talents shining more than ever.
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