LeBron James longevity

Moderators: Domejandro, ken6199, Dirk, infinite11285, Clav, bwgood77, bisme37, zimpy27, KingDavid, cupcakesnake

User avatar
Liam_Gallagher
Lead Assistant
Posts: 4,719
And1: 6,979
Joined: Nov 05, 2019

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#61 » by Liam_Gallagher » Wed Oct 1, 2025 6:00 pm

Insanely hot take:

If LeBron James and Kobe Bryant retired at the same time (end of 2016 season), I still think LeBron finishes ahead of him in all-time rankings.
G - James | Rondo
G - Bradley | Caruso
F - Green | Caldwell-Pope
F - Davis | Kuzma | Morris
C - McGee | Howard
User avatar
Dupp
RealGM
Posts: 112,394
And1: 67,145
Joined: Aug 16, 2009
Location: Lifelong Nuggets Fan
 

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#62 » by Dupp » Wed Oct 1, 2025 6:23 pm

Liam_Gallagher wrote:Insanely hot take:

If LeBron James and Kobe Bryant retired at the same time (end of 2016 season), I still think LeBron finishes ahead of him in all-time rankings.


I’ve cold take
KGtabake
Lead Assistant
Posts: 5,837
And1: 7,828
Joined: Jan 28, 2019

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#63 » by KGtabake » Wed Oct 1, 2025 6:35 pm

Braggins wrote:Obvious GOAT and its honestly embarrassing that there is still a slight consensus in favor of MJ at this point.


The only embarrassing part here is that somehow you found a way to insert Jordan on a thread that is honouring your idol.
Braggins
RealGM
Posts: 14,764
And1: 9,450
Joined: Jan 05, 2014

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#64 » by Braggins » Wed Oct 1, 2025 6:55 pm

KGtabake wrote:
Braggins wrote:Obvious GOAT and its honestly embarrassing that there is still a slight consensus in favor of MJ at this point.


The only embarrassing part here is that somehow you found a way to insert Jordan on a thread that is honouring your idol.

Lebron is not my idol. My two favorite players of all-time are Reggie Miller and Kemba Walker.
User avatar
The High Cyde
General Manager
Posts: 9,016
And1: 15,306
Joined: Jun 06, 2014
Location: Elbaf
 

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#65 » by The High Cyde » Wed Oct 1, 2025 7:00 pm

Braggins wrote:Obvious GOAT and its honestly embarrassing that there is still a slight consensus in favor of MJ at this point.

Agreed.
Image
EmpireFalls
Lead Assistant
Posts: 5,410
And1: 8,800
Joined: Jun 16, 2015
   

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#66 » by EmpireFalls » Wed Oct 1, 2025 8:10 pm

KGtabake wrote:
Braggins wrote:Obvious GOAT and its honestly embarrassing that there is still a slight consensus in favor of MJ at this point.


The only embarrassing part here is that somehow you found a way to insert Jordan on a thread that is honouring your idol.

If ANYONE is allowed to criticize Michael Jordan it’s us Hornets fans. The man ruined our lives for nearly two decades. Some GOAT, owned and led a team for 20 years and couldn’t win a single playoff series. **** MJ.
granger05
Sixth Man
Posts: 1,579
And1: 612
Joined: Dec 15, 2005

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#67 » by granger05 » Wed Oct 1, 2025 8:18 pm

Looking at this player list:

https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/players

There are 615 players here so this is including the 2 ways and camp contracts and the like that would overweight the quantity of younger players. But, not even trying to take the time to look at specific birthdays and instead going with guys 22 or younger, there are 134 dudes on that list that were born after LeBron was drafted so his NBA career is older than about 21% of the current players' ages.
User avatar
Edrees
RealGM
Posts: 17,323
And1: 12,564
Joined: May 12, 2009
Contact:
         

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#68 » by Edrees » Wed Oct 1, 2025 9:18 pm

NyKnicks1714 wrote:
Edrees wrote:The day Lebron hangs it up will be rough for me, because as long as he plays young, that means I'm young too (i'm 2 days older than him)


So we always talk about how old LeBron is, and you're older than him? Damn you're old.

(kidding)


:cry:

You're not wrong :lol:
User avatar
The High Cyde
General Manager
Posts: 9,016
And1: 15,306
Joined: Jun 06, 2014
Location: Elbaf
 

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#69 » by The High Cyde » Wed Oct 1, 2025 11:17 pm

EmpireFalls wrote:
KGtabake wrote:
Braggins wrote:Obvious GOAT and its honestly embarrassing that there is still a slight consensus in favor of MJ at this point.


The only embarrassing part here is that somehow you found a way to insert Jordan on a thread that is honouring your idol.

If ANYONE is allowed to criticize Michael Jordan it’s us Hornets fans. The man ruined our lives for nearly two decades. Some GOAT, owned and led a team for 20 years and couldn’t win a single playoff series. **** MJ.

Lmaooooo :lol:
Image
User avatar
Enso
General Manager
Posts: 9,143
And1: 26,827
Joined: Apr 16, 2014
Location: MTL
 

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#70 » by Enso » Thu Oct 2, 2025 12:49 am

Wolveswin wrote:James longevity is impressive. And adds to his GOAT argument.

Problem is this specific James accolade is tainted in rumors. Rumors of James being on HGH or some other PED. Which would directly lead to an increase in longevity.

It’s kind of like if Jordan’s accolade - like jumping - was tainted with rumors he had calf implants or something (not sure how one improves jumping via a questionable means). But I think you get my point.


What lol I never heard that before. Who the hell ever said Jordan had calf inplants :lol:


For LeBron it’s def more than hgh, which a lot of player are/were using. LeBron prob has access to the craziest stuff we aren’t even aware of yet. Like gene editing level stuff.

Hopefully they can gene edit Bronny into a solid role player at least.
nzahir
RealGM
Posts: 11,624
And1: 5,100
Joined: Nov 04, 2017
 

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#71 » by nzahir » Thu Oct 2, 2025 1:45 am

JinKaz69 wrote:
Mazter wrote:I think the most impressive part, besides his regular+playoffs combined stats, is that he is still agressive in the paint. People were saying he would have to adapt in his thirties as his athleticism would decline. He would need to become more of a jump shooter. And than at 40 he just made 287-of-386 shots in the restricted area. Breaking Malone's record of oldest player with 2 FG's made in the RA by 3 years. And another Jazz legend Stockton's record of most FG's in de RA by a 40 year old by 103 FG's. He also had 71 dunks, breaking Kevin willis' record (22) of dunks by a 40 year old.

And the fact he is doing that while his regular season-play offs combi in games, minutes and points blows everyone away is even more impressive.

Huge spacing + 3 def sec rule + non-stop mismatch hunting.
It's easier than ever to get to the rim nowadays.

Still a good stat.

What about no zones/help defense being allowed back in the days?

Now guys like Lebron have multiple guys to worry about when attacking the rim
ropjhk
RealGM
Posts: 19,722
And1: 12,859
Joined: Jul 09, 2002
     

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#72 » by ropjhk » Thu Oct 2, 2025 2:10 am

His longevity deserves to be recognized as one of the great feats in NBA history.
User avatar
Maxthirty
Sixth Man
Posts: 1,763
And1: 3,713
Joined: Sep 08, 2020
   

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#73 » by Maxthirty » Thu Oct 2, 2025 2:16 am

[youtube][/youtube]
Enso wrote:
Wolveswin wrote:James longevity is impressive. And adds to his GOAT argument.

Problem is this specific James accolade is tainted in rumors. Rumors of James being on HGH or some other PED. Which would directly lead to an increase in longevity.

It’s kind of like if Jordan’s accolade - like jumping - was tainted with rumors he had calf implants or something (not sure how one improves jumping via a questionable means). But I think you get my point.


What lol I never heard that before. Who the hell ever said Jordan had calf inplants :lol:


For LeBron it’s def more than hgh, which a lot of player are/were using. LeBron prob has access to the craziest stuff we aren’t even aware of yet. Like gene editing level stuff.

Hopefully they can gene edit Bronny into a solid role player at least.


I bet you have a lot of conspiracies in that brain of yours.
Water makes you weak.
User avatar
Enso
General Manager
Posts: 9,143
And1: 26,827
Joined: Apr 16, 2014
Location: MTL
 

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#74 » by Enso » Thu Oct 2, 2025 7:13 am

Maxthirty wrote:[youtube][/youtube]
Enso wrote:
Wolveswin wrote:James longevity is impressive. And adds to his GOAT argument.

Problem is this specific James accolade is tainted in rumors. Rumors of James being on HGH or some other PED. Which would directly lead to an increase in longevity.

It’s kind of like if Jordan’s accolade - like jumping - was tainted with rumors he had calf implants or something (not sure how one improves jumping via a questionable means). But I think you get my point.


What lol I never heard that before. Who the hell ever said Jordan had calf inplants :lol:


For LeBron it’s def more than hgh, which a lot of player are/were using. LeBron prob has access to the craziest stuff we aren’t even aware of yet. Like gene editing level stuff.

Hopefully they can gene edit Bronny into a solid role player at least.


I bet you have a lot of conspiracies in that brain of yours.


If by conspiracies you mean LeBron takes steroids and I love making jokes about it on this forum cause it Russels all the LeBron’s Stans jimmys, then yes I sure do

But jokes aside I do think he has access to the best doping money can buy but that’s not really such a hot take
FarBeyondDriven
Analyst
Posts: 3,574
And1: 2,730
Joined: Aug 11, 2021

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#75 » by FarBeyondDriven » Thu Oct 2, 2025 9:01 am

EmpireFalls wrote:
KGtabake wrote:
Braggins wrote:Obvious GOAT and its honestly embarrassing that there is still a slight consensus in favor of MJ at this point.


The only embarrassing part here is that somehow you found a way to insert Jordan on a thread that is honouring your idol.

If ANYONE is allowed to criticize Michael Jordan it’s us Hornets fans. The man ruined our lives for nearly two decades. Some GOAT, owned and led a team for 20 years and couldn’t win a single playoff series. **** MJ.


I think certain franchises like the Hornets exist simply to act as outlets and safety valves for the NBA. There's no other explanation for why they consistently draft awful, make bad trades and stupid FA acquisitions. The NBA does not want superstars languishing on these types of teams. The owners use these franchises to fund their other endeavors and happily watch the values skyrocket whether they win or lose so they aren't rocking the boat. So I wouldn't be so quick to rush to blame MJ. Just look at their drafts. No chance MJ or anyone is that unintentionally bad at talent evaluation.
EmpireFalls
Lead Assistant
Posts: 5,410
And1: 8,800
Joined: Jun 16, 2015
   

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#76 » by EmpireFalls » Thu Oct 2, 2025 12:22 pm

FarBeyondDriven wrote:
EmpireFalls wrote:
KGtabake wrote:
The only embarrassing part here is that somehow you found a way to insert Jordan on a thread that is honouring your idol.

If ANYONE is allowed to criticize Michael Jordan it’s us Hornets fans. The man ruined our lives for nearly two decades. Some GOAT, owned and led a team for 20 years and couldn’t win a single playoff series. **** MJ.


I think certain franchises like the Hornets exist simply to act as outlets and safety valves for the NBA. There's no other explanation for why they consistently draft awful, make bad trades and stupid FA acquisitions. The NBA does not want superstars languishing on these types of teams. The owners use these franchises to fund their other endeavors and happily watch the values skyrocket whether they win or lose so they aren't rocking the boat. So I wouldn't be so quick to rush to blame MJ. Just look at their drafts. No chance MJ or anyone is that unintentionally bad at talent evaluation.

I don’t buy that at all. We’ve seen tons of franchises go from zero to hero in the 2000s, with multiple small market laughingstock franchises winning titles. Furthermore, MJ would’ve brought the league significant media attention if he owned a good team. That’s a cop out argument and moreover, Jordan’s choices were so consistently horrid that you can’t even allege conspiracy. It was all him.

It comes down to his choices, and yes, Michael Jordan is absolutely that bad at talent evaluation.

He took Kwame Brown for the Wizards! He specifically wanted Adam Morrison and Frank Kaminsky! He was not just a bad talent evaluator, he was a downright horrible one, and a worse team builder at that.

His real flaw was not that MJ himself made all the decisions, it was that he couldn’t build a team. He cheaped out at every turn and assembled the barebones of an organization built on incompetence and nepotism, installing his college roommate and brother as the directors of scouting and player personnel. He hired his old friend Rod Higgins to run the team and he promptly assembled the 7-59 WOAT team and signed his nepo son Cory who was Bronny level awful. Cheapness, impatience, and nepotism defined MJ’s entire reign from top to bottom.

The organization we ran had the worst facilities, medical, player evaluation, everything because MJ ran it with the bare minimum investment. We didn’t even have a proper analytics team until very recently. It was a minor league operation under Jordan’s direct wishes.

This is what I mean when I discuss amongst my fanbase about the “cult of MJ” defending him. You guys all see him as this basketball deity who couldn’t possibly do any wrong, but that Michael Jordan left the building back in the 20th century. He was a transcendent basketball player, but that turned out to be his only talent. He’s a vindictive, nasty, selfish, and downright stupid SOB who refused to be patient and see a team grow, instead pushing for foolish win-now moves which set us back even further. Again, every single other NBA team won at least one playoff series during Jordan’s tenure except for the Hornets.

When the only thing his fans can put in his defense is that there was a conspiracy against the team you know it’s bad. He gets a 1/10, the bare minimum rating, for not moving the team. Everything else was indefensible garbage. It’s time to grow up and live in the real world about Jordan. Amazing player, but as they say, never meet your heroes. He was bar none the worst owner in the NBA for nearly 2 decades and the fault is all his own.

I will repeat myself, **** MJ and anyone who defends his ownership in Charlotte.
User avatar
NoStatsGuy
Assistant Coach
Posts: 4,190
And1: 2,382
Joined: Feb 14, 2010
Location: Germany
 

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#77 » by NoStatsGuy » Thu Oct 2, 2025 12:27 pm

Enso wrote:
Wolveswin wrote:James longevity is impressive. And adds to his GOAT argument.

Problem is this specific James accolade is tainted in rumors. Rumors of James being on HGH or some other PED. Which would directly lead to an increase in longevity.

It’s kind of like if Jordan’s accolade - like jumping - was tainted with rumors he had calf implants or something (not sure how one improves jumping via a questionable means). But I think you get my point.


What lol I never heard that before. Who the hell ever said Jordan had calf inplants :lol:


For LeBron it’s def more than hgh, which a lot of player are/were using. LeBron prob has access to the craziest stuff we aren’t even aware of yet. Like gene editing level stuff.

Hopefully they can gene edit Bronny into a solid role player at least.


you have any evidence of this happening?
im bout dat action boss
User avatar
Optms
RealGM
Posts: 24,113
And1: 20,592
Joined: Jun 11, 2009
 

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#78 » by Optms » Thu Oct 2, 2025 12:55 pm

This man was dunking in the league before MySpace and San Andreas GTA were even a thing. This is nuts.
User avatar
whitehops
General Manager
Posts: 8,453
And1: 7,185
Joined: Dec 12, 2012
Location: Toronto
     

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#79 » by whitehops » Thu Oct 2, 2025 1:06 pm

granger05 wrote:There are 615 players here so this is including the 2 ways and camp contracts and the like that would overweight the quantity of younger players. But, not even trying to take the time to look at specific birthdays and instead going with guys 22 or younger, there are 134 dudes on that list that were born after LeBron was drafted so his NBA career is older than about 21% of the current players' ages.

for the pistons lebron played nba games before ron holland and even jalen duren were born. duren's been in the league 3 years already. crazy stuff.
dhsilv2
RealGM
Posts: 51,078
And1: 27,546
Joined: Oct 04, 2015

Re: LeBron James longevity 

Post#80 » by dhsilv2 » Thu Oct 2, 2025 2:52 pm

Wolveswin wrote:James longevity is impressive. And adds to his GOAT argument.

Problem is this specific James accolade is tainted in rumors. Rumors of James being on HGH or some other PED. Which would directly lead to an increase in longevity.

It’s kind of like if Jordan’s accolade - like jumping - was tainted with rumors he had calf implants or something (not sure how one improves jumping via a questionable means). But I think you get my point.


There's just as good reasons to think MJ was using steroids/PED's in the 90's when he decided to gain weight to challenge the Pistons. It was the steroid era in baseball...a sport he went and played where it was normal at the time for trainers to just give guys a bag of drugs to take in the off season (yes in the minors). So sure, modern medicine is better. PED's haven't changed nearly as much as you might think, most of the advancements are in avoiding detection, not better results. Surgeries, sleep studies, better training, better nutrition...that's all greatly advanced. Even things like shoes and travel.

Return to The General Board