LeBron James, once an 18-year-old rookie out of St. Vincent-St. Mary's high school, has exceeded the lofty expectations placed on him throughout his career, and he is still not finished... As he now turns 40 years old, playing in his 22nd NBA season, LeBron has defied "Father Time" like no other athlete before him.
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22 YEARS IN THE NBA.
40 YEARS OF LIFE.HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY TO THE KING, LEBRON JAMES! 👑 pic.twitter.com/dHTlZwaqDJ
— NBA (@NBA) December 30, 2024
That is, LeBron, currently the oldest player in the NBA, is still competing night in and night out at the highest level.
LeBron James turns 40 today and this post gets more hilarious every single year 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/C9j9aZD2Ez
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) December 30, 2024
While speaking to the media on his birthday, LeBron made the claim that he could play for at least another half decade if he wanted to.
“ If I wanted to, I could play this game at a high level for another 5 to 7 years.”
- LeBron James
(🎥 @swishcultures_ )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 30, 2024
"To be honest, if I really wanted to, I'd probably play this game at a high level probably for about another ... it's weird that I might say this, but probably about another 5-7 years, if I wanted to," James said. "But I'm not going to do that."
The Greatest of All Time turns 40 today … Happy Birthday Bron 🔥🐐 pic.twitter.com/EjfTXRAFXO
— LeBron History 🏀 (@bronhistory) December 30, 2024
👑 LeBron’s age 20 season:
27 PPG | 7 RPG | 7 APG on 50/35/75👑 LeBron’s age 30 season:
25 PPG | 7 RPG | 6 APG on 49/35/71👑 LeBron’s age 40 season:
24 PPG | 8 RPG | 9 APG on 50/36/77The KING is timeless. 🐐
— Witness King James (@WITNESSKJ) December 30, 2024
There's not much for LeBron to prove as he is already the all-time leader in points scored (41,131) and minutes played (57,578) in NBA history.
Not to mention, he is also fourth all-time in assists (11,261), seventh in three-pointers made (2,466), and eighth in steals (2,298).
Adam Silver on LeBron James turning 40 years old today:
“In some ways he’s a freak of nature.”
(via @AP) pic.twitter.com/blBAzrQF9D
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) December 30, 2024
The Kid from Akron is a 4x MVP, and 4x champion, bringing a title to all three franchises he played for.
He is also a 3x Olympic gold medalist, 20x All-Star, 67x Player of the Week/39x Player of the Month award winner.
LeBron turns 40 today 🎂
👑 4x NBA champion
👑 6x NBA All-Defensive Team
👑 4x NBA Finals MVP
👑 20x All-NBA
👑 3x Olympic gold medal
👑 20x All-Star
👑 3× NBA All-Star Game MVPThe list goes on ... pic.twitter.com/QSYDeVmM4r
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 30, 2024
LeBron's first game as a 40-year-old will come against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. Notably, this will be a full-circle moment, as the Cavs drafted LeBron with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft... and the rest is history.
LeBron is 40 today
Never forget LeBron’s own teammates doubted him when the Cavs drafted him…
— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) December 30, 2024
Related: LeBron James Makes NBA History Yet Again, Still Defying 'Father Time'
