LeBron James: I Could Probably Keep Playing At High Level For Another 5-7 Years

[RealGM Wiretap]

LeBron James turned 40 on Monday and said he believes he could play in the NBA for several more years even though he currently doesn't plan to do so.

“To be honest, if I really wanted to, I could 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.”

James appears to be at peace with retiring within the next few years and intends to do so with the Lakers.

“That would be the plan,” he said of staying with the Lakers. “I came here to play the last stage of my career and to finish it off here. But I’m also not silly or too jaded to know the business of the game as well, to know the business of basketball. But I think my relationship with this organization speaks for itself. And hopefully I don’t got to go nowhere before my career is over.”

James has tried to avoid reflecting too seriously on his career, but his milestone birthday is making that difficult to avoid. 

“I mean, I had a decade of the 30s so to just wake up and just be like, ‘Oh shoot, oh damn, you’re 40?’ It’s kind of laughable, really, to know where I am, to see where I am still playing the game at a high level,” he said. “Still being such a young man but old in the scheme of how many years I got in this profession. But I just think when I came into the league, obviously that’s like the first thing I thought about. You came in as an 18-year-old kid and now you’re sitting here as a 40-year-old, 22-year vet with a 20-year-old in the NBA as well. So, it’s pretty cool.”

Via Dan Woike/Los Angeles Times

[purpleswordfish]

Depends on what you consider high level, honestly. His VORP is lower than ever this year at 1.7. It'll most likely be the worst VORP year of his career. The metrics point to defense being the biggest portion of the drop off for LeBron. I get that people will say things like "the whole team is playing bad defense" and "defensive metrics can be more indicative of a bad scheme/team than an individual." Even then, LeBron is at least 20% of a team that looks - at times - completely unable to defend the opposition.

I think if his goal is to keep playing, he'll have to take a slightly different role surrounded by very specific players. There's no reason a talent like LeBron can't still provide well above average value like other players that were never good defenders (ex: Steve Nash, Steph Curry) and the offensive side makes the defensive deficiencies easier to swallow.

But, you kinda wonder what happens if his offense regresses as well.

[jmbish87]

Depends on what you consider high level, honestly. His VORP is lower than ever this year at 1.7. It'll most likely be the worst VORP year of his career. The metrics point to defense being the biggest portion of the drop off for LeBron. I get that people will say things like "the whole team is playing bad defense" and "defensive metrics can be more indicative of a bad scheme/team than an individual." Even then, LeBron is at least 20% of a team that looks - at times - completely unable to defend the opposition.

I think if his goal is to keep playing, he'll have to take a slightly different role surrounded by very specific players. There's no reason a talent like LeBron can't still provide well above average value like other players that were never good defenders (ex: Steve Nash, Steph Curry) and the offensive side makes the defensive deficiencies easier to swallow.

But, you kinda wonder what happens if his offense regresses as well.

Yep, "high level" = Bron's top tier IQ means he can keep getting his stats while the Lakers don't play winning/elite basketball.

[LesGrossman]

Depends on what you consider high level, honestly. His VORP is lower than ever this year at 1.7. It'll most likely be the worst VORP year of his career. The metrics point to defense being the biggest portion of the drop off for LeBron. I get that people will say things like "the whole team is playing bad defense" and "defensive metrics can be more indicative of a bad scheme/team than an individual." Even then, LeBron is at least 20% of a team that looks - at times - completely unable to defend the opposition.

I think if his goal is to keep playing, he'll have to take a slightly different role surrounded by very specific players. There's no reason a talent like LeBron can't still provide well above average value like other players that were never good defenders (ex: Steve Nash, Steph Curry) and the offensive side makes the defensive deficiencies easier to swallow.

But, you kinda wonder what happens if his offense regresses as well.

He visibly puts zero effort into defense for several years now. It’s ironic and at the same time frustrating that people who understand how team defense should be played have pointed it out since 2019 but were often attacked (i got blocked by the mods for saying it). Now it has become so obvious not even the biggest Stan can deny it. It’s not age, lack of athleticism or all that BS they try to sell us, because he can explode on the offensive end just fine. It’s just that his only goal these days is to chase meaningless inflated personal stats instead of team wins.

It’s puzzling from the lakers point of view that they continue to put up with this - i guess he still sells tickets and apparently its also the organizations‘ first priority to make money over winning. Sad state of a sports league.

[hyberx]

Don't think LeBron's "rings" are as legit as MJ and other multiple winners', but gotta give the guy credit for his longevity, even if he is not playing much D anymore. Whatever chemical he is taking is working really well, plus the dude is a freak of nature.

[Indomitable]

Depends on what you consider high level, honestly. His VORP is lower than ever this year at 1.7. It'll most likely be the worst VORP year of his career. The metrics point to defense being the biggest portion of the drop off for LeBron. I get that people will say things like "the whole team is playing bad defense" and "defensive metrics can be more indicative of a bad scheme/team than an individual." Even then, LeBron is at least 20% of a team that looks - at times - completely unable to defend the opposition.

I think if his goal is to keep playing, he'll have to take a slightly different role surrounded by very specific players. There's no reason a talent like LeBron can't still provide well above average value like other players that were never good defenders (ex: Steve Nash, Steph Curry) and the offensive side makes the defensive deficiencies easier to swallow.

But, you kinda wonder what happens if his offense regresses as well.

He visibly puts zero effort into defense for several years now. It’s ironic and at the same time frustrating that people who understand how team defense should be played have pointed it out since 2019 but were often attacked (i got blocked by the mods for saying it). Now it has become so obvious not even the biggest Stan can deny it. It’s not age, lack of athleticism or all that BS they try to sell us, because he can explode on the offensive end just fine. It’s just that his only goal these days is to chase meaningless inflated personal stats instead of team wins.

It’s puzzling from the lakers point of view that they continue to put up with this - i guess he still sells tickets and apparently its also the organizations‘ first priority to make money over winning. Sad state of a sports league.

They are more interested in being a spot then winning.

[YourGM99]

Depends on what you consider high level, honestly. His VORP is lower than ever this year at 1.7. It'll most likely be the worst VORP year of his career. The metrics point to defense being the biggest portion of the drop off for LeBron. I get that people will say things like "the whole team is playing bad defense" and "defensive metrics can be more indicative of a bad scheme/team than an individual." Even then, LeBron is at least 20% of a team that looks - at times - completely unable to defend the opposition.

I think if his goal is to keep playing, he'll have to take a slightly different role surrounded by very specific players. There's no reason a talent like LeBron can't still provide well above average value like other players that were never good defenders (ex: Steve Nash, Steph Curry) and the offensive side makes the defensive deficiencies easier to swallow.

But, you kinda wonder what happens if his offense regresses as well.

He visibly puts zero effort into defense for several years now. It’s ironic and at the same time frustrating that people who understand how team defense should be played have pointed it out since 2019 but were often attacked (i got blocked by the mods for saying it). Now it has become so obvious not even the biggest Stan can deny it. It’s not age, lack of athleticism or all that BS they try to sell us, because he can explode on the offensive end just fine. It’s just that his only goal these days is to chase meaningless inflated personal stats instead of team wins.

It’s puzzling from the lakers point of view that they continue to put up with this - i guess he still sells tickets and apparently its also the organizations‘ first priority to make money over winning. Sad state of a sports league.

He plays defense when he needs to play defense. I think it’s unrealistic to ask a player over 37 years old to carry a heavy load on offense and be the best perimeter defender on the court for 90% of the game. Most GM’s build a team around their best players but the lakers have mostly failed at this with LeBron and AD as well for that matter. LeBron is at the stage of his career where he should be told your role is just this one thing on offense (score the ball or run the offense) and your role is just this one thing one defense (guard the weakest offense player on the court or play the passing lanes/be a help defender). Prior to this recent trade for DFS who were the lakers two best perimeter defenders who have played more than 50 games in a season in the last 5 years? I’d say you’d have to go all the way back to some combo of Caruso, KCP, and Danny Green so you’re going back 4 years. And even all of them were not really good at guarding the top SFs in the game.

[Bentley1225]

Sure he could by just playing one end of the floor.

[LesGrossman]

Depends on what you consider high level, honestly. His VORP is lower than ever this year at 1.7. It'll most likely be the worst VORP year of his career. The metrics point to defense being the biggest portion of the drop off for LeBron. I get that people will say things like "the whole team is playing bad defense" and "defensive metrics can be more indicative of a bad scheme/team than an individual." Even then, LeBron is at least 20% of a team that looks - at times - completely unable to defend the opposition.

I think if his goal is to keep playing, he'll have to take a slightly different role surrounded by very specific players. There's no reason a talent like LeBron can't still provide well above average value like other players that were never good defenders (ex: Steve Nash, Steph Curry) and the offensive side makes the defensive deficiencies easier to swallow.

But, you kinda wonder what happens if his offense regresses as well.

He visibly puts zero effort into defense for several years now. It’s ironic and at the same time frustrating that people who understand how team defense should be played have pointed it out since 2019 but were often attacked (i got blocked by the mods for saying it). Now it has become so obvious not even the biggest Stan can deny it. It’s not age, lack of athleticism or all that BS they try to sell us, because he can explode on the offensive end just fine. It’s just that his only goal these days is to chase meaningless inflated personal stats instead of team wins.

It’s puzzling from the lakers point of view that they continue to put up with this - i guess he still sells tickets and apparently its also the organizations‘ first priority to make money over winning. Sad state of a sports league.

He plays defense when he needs to play defense. I think it’s unrealistic to ask a player over 37 years old to carry a heavy load on offense and be the best perimeter defender on the court for 90% of the game. Most GM’s build a team around their best players but the lakers have mostly failed at this with LeBron and AD as well for that matter. LeBron is at the stage of his career where he should be told your role is just this one thing on offense (score the ball or run the offense) and your role is just this one thing one defense (guard the weakest offense player on the court or play the passing lanes/be a help defender). Prior to this recent trade for DFS who were the lakers two best perimeter defenders who have played more than 50 games in a season in the last 5 years? I’d say you’d have to go all the way back to some combo of Caruso, KCP, and Danny Green so you’re going back 4 years. And even all of them were not really good at guarding the top SFs in the game.

Thats nonsense his stans keep trying to tell us. It’s a team game five people need to play defense, or else you lose. If you are unable for one reason or another, you need to retire. His lack of effort shows in their losses and his personal, devastating +/- record. He’s a quitter.

[Vegeta10176]

Depends on what you consider high level, honestly. His VORP is lower than ever this year at 1.7. It'll most likely be the worst VORP year of his career. The metrics point to defense being the biggest portion of the drop off for LeBron. I get that people will say things like "the whole team is playing bad defense" and "defensive metrics can be more indicative of a bad scheme/team than an individual." Even then, LeBron is at least 20% of a team that looks - at times - completely unable to defend the opposition.

I think if his goal is to keep playing, he'll have to take a slightly different role surrounded by very specific players. There's no reason a talent like LeBron can't still provide well above average value like other players that were never good defenders (ex: Steve Nash, Steph Curry) and the offensive side makes the defensive deficiencies easier to swallow.

But, you kinda wonder what happens if his offense regresses as well.

He visibly puts zero effort into defense for several years now. It’s ironic and at the same time frustrating that people who understand how team defense should be played have pointed it out since 2019 but were often attacked (i got blocked by the mods for saying it). Now it has become so obvious not even the biggest Stan can deny it. It’s not age, lack of athleticism or all that BS they try to sell us, because he can explode on the offensive end just fine. It’s just that his only goal these days is to chase meaningless inflated personal stats instead of team wins.

It’s puzzling from the lakers point of view that they continue to put up with this - i guess he still sells tickets and apparently its also the organizations‘ first priority to make money over winning. Sad state of a sports league.

They won the title in 2020.. I agree his defence has dropped off locked in though he is still a plus defender its just he only locks in sometimes but hell players like steph and kyrie have never been good defenders so with the right team you can still win and let's be honest AD is meant to be the guy now.. Can he be that I don't know.. He is pretty good but is he that good.

[TheCage4]

[YourGM99]

He visibly puts zero effort into defense for several years now. It’s ironic and at the same time frustrating that people who understand how team defense should be played have pointed it out since 2019 but were often attacked (i got blocked by the mods for saying it). Now it has become so obvious not even the biggest Stan can deny it. It’s not age, lack of athleticism or all that BS they try to sell us, because he can explode on the offensive end just fine. It’s just that his only goal these days is to chase meaningless inflated personal stats instead of team wins.

It’s puzzling from the lakers point of view that they continue to put up with this - i guess he still sells tickets and apparently its also the organizations‘ first priority to make money over winning. Sad state of a sports league.

He plays defense when he needs to play defense. I think it’s unrealistic to ask a player over 37 years old to carry a heavy load on offense and be the best perimeter defender on the court for 90% of the game. Most GM’s build a team around their best players but the lakers have mostly failed at this with LeBron and AD as well for that matter. LeBron is at the stage of his career where he should be told your role is just this one thing on offense (score the ball or run the offense) and your role is just this one thing one defense (guard the weakest offense player on the court or play the passing lanes/be a help defender). Prior to this recent trade for DFS who were the lakers two best perimeter defenders who have played more than 50 games in a season in the last 5 years? I’d say you’d have to go all the way back to some combo of Caruso, KCP, and Danny Green so you’re going back 4 years. And even all of them were not really good at guarding the top SFs in the game.

Thats nonsense his stans keep trying to tell us. It’s a team game five people need to play defense, or else you lose. If you are unable for one reason or another, you need to retire. His lack of effort shows in their losses and his personal, devastating +/- record. He’s a quitter.

There are players who have played entire 15+ year careers who weren’t good defenders. You have current NBA stars who don’t play defense. You have Star players who have won multiple championships who weren’t good defenders, they guarded the worst offensive threat on the floor because the team was built around them and accounted for their defensive liabilities. Again, why is a 37-39 year your best option as a perimeter defender? You have players who have made an entire career of playing defense but even they were a shell of themselves in their mid 30s. Also, do you watch the Lakers games? If so, you would know that his +/- stats are misleading. He plays with the 2nd unit and the Lakers average the 2nd fewest bench points in the NBA.

[Hans1984]

I don't think so.
Maybe 2-3 years.

[LesGrossman]

He plays defense when he needs to play defense. I think it’s unrealistic to ask a player over 37 years old to carry a heavy load on offense and be the best perimeter defender on the court for 90% of the game. Most GM’s build a team around their best players but the lakers have mostly failed at this with LeBron and AD as well for that matter. LeBron is at the stage of his career where he should be told your role is just this one thing on offense (score the ball or run the offense) and your role is just this one thing one defense (guard the weakest offense player on the court or play the passing lanes/be a help defender). Prior to this recent trade for DFS who were the lakers two best perimeter defenders who have played more than 50 games in a season in the last 5 years? I’d say you’d have to go all the way back to some combo of Caruso, KCP, and Danny Green so you’re going back 4 years. And even all of them were not really good at guarding the top SFs in the game.

Thats nonsense his stans keep trying to tell us. It’s a team game five people need to play defense, or else you lose. If you are unable for one reason or another, you need to retire. His lack of effort shows in their losses and his personal, devastating +/- record. He’s a quitter.

There are players who have played entire 15+ year careers who weren’t good defenders. You have current NBA stars who don’t play defense. You have Star players who have won multiple championships who weren’t good defenders, they guarded the worst offensive threat on the floor because the team was built around them and accounted for their defensive liabilities. Again, why is a 37-39 year your best option as a perimeter defender? You have players who have made an entire career of playing defense but even they were a shell of themselves in their mid 30s. Also, do you watch the Lakers games? If so, you would know that his +/- stats are misleading. He plays with the 2nd unit and the Lakers average the 2nd fewest bench points in the NBA.

The problem isnt that he isnt a good defender. The problem is that he preserves all energy to pad his stats and everyone expects the rest of the team to make up for it. Often times he doesnt even cross half court to play defense. A team cannot possibly win with one player who plays heavy minutes and doesn’t contribute anything on D.

[YourGM99]

Thats nonsense his stans keep trying to tell us. It’s a team game five people need to play defense, or else you lose. If you are unable for one reason or another, you need to retire. His lack of effort shows in their losses and his personal, devastating +/- record. He’s a quitter.

There are players who have played entire 15+ year careers who weren’t good defenders. You have current NBA stars who don’t play defense. You have Star players who have won multiple championships who weren’t good defenders, they guarded the worst offensive threat on the floor because the team was built around them and accounted for their defensive liabilities. Again, why is a 37-39 year your best option as a perimeter defender? You have players who have made an entire career of playing defense but even they were a shell of themselves in their mid 30s. Also, do you watch the Lakers games? If so, you would know that his +/- stats are misleading. He plays with the 2nd unit and the Lakers average the 2nd fewest bench points in the NBA.

The problem isnt that he isnt a good defender. The problem is that he preserves all energy to pad his stats and everyone expects the rest of the team to make up for it. Often times he doesnt even cross half court to play defense. A team cannot possibly win with one player who plays heavy minutes and doesn’t contribute anything on D.

The problem is your statements are inaccurate. Additionally, his defense magically improves every year in the playoffs vs the regular season. If your argument is he lacks effort on defense or just hustle plays in general during the regular season then fine but saying he contributes nothing on defense or doesn’t cross half court often times is simply not accurate. It’s simple, build a team around LeBron and AD that account for their deficiencies. The lakers just traded for a legitimate 3 & D player who can guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player from PG-PF. Prior to the trade 39-40 year old LeBron was the best option on the team to guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player. Again, you would have to go back 4 years to find a better permitter defender option on the lakers other than LeBron who has played 50+ games during the season.

[NoStatsGuy]

i would be down for another 5 to 7 years of realgm whining and having meltdowns about lebron

[mihaic]

He should, if he wants Bronny to have a long career in the league.

[LesGrossman]

double

[LesGrossman]

The problem isnt that he isnt a good defender. The problem is that he preserves all energy to pad his stats and everyone expects the rest of the team to make up for it. Often times he doesnt even cross half court to play defense. A team cannot possibly win with one player who plays heavy minutes and doesn’t contribute anything on D.

The problem is your statements are inaccurate. Additionally, his defense magically improves every year in the playoffs vs the regular season. If your argument is he lacks effort on defense or just hustle plays in general during the regular season then fine but saying he contributes nothing on defense or doesn’t cross half court often times is simply not accurate. It’s simple, build a team around LeBron and AD that account for their deficiencies. The lakers just traded for a legitimate 3 & D player who can guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player from PG-PF. Prior to the trade 39-40 year old LeBron was the best option on the team to guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player. Again, you would have to go back 4 years to find a better permitter defender option on the lakers other than LeBron who has played 50+ games during the season.

I mean…we all see what happens every game. We saw the self proclaimed GOAT being dominated and dwarfed by Jokic. Is this the „high level“ he could play for 5-7 more years“? Feel free to live in denial if you are more on the fan side of a player. But the reason the lakers are losing is, by and large, LeBron James. Thats the puzzling part in the community of the lakers and LeBron fans. They continue to discuss who could help the team when the reality is, the biggest improvement would be to send him to some franchise for his farewell tour and use the money to find some one who isnt only out to chase some records and improve his „brand“ but actually tries to win games. Someone who doesnt sit out the games against tough opponents to play bottom dwellers including stat padding in garbage time, while at the same time claiming to be too old to play defense.

[YourGM99]

The problem isnt that he isnt a good defender. The problem is that he preserves all energy to pad his stats and everyone expects the rest of the team to make up for it. Often times he doesnt even cross half court to play defense. A team cannot possibly win with one player who plays heavy minutes and doesn’t contribute anything on D.

The problem is your statements are inaccurate. Additionally, his defense magically improves every year in the playoffs vs the regular season. If your argument is he lacks effort on defense or just hustle plays in general during the regular season then fine but saying he contributes nothing on defense or doesn’t cross half court often times is simply not accurate. It’s simple, build a team around LeBron and AD that account for their deficiencies. The lakers just traded for a legitimate 3 & D player who can guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player from PG-PF. Prior to the trade 39-40 year old LeBron was the best option on the team to guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player. Again, you would have to go back 4 years to find a better permitter defender option on the lakers other than LeBron who has played 50+ games during the season.

I mean…we all see what happens every game. We saw the self proclaimed GOAT being dominated and dwarfed by Jokic. Is this the „high level“ he could play for 5-7 more years“? Feel free to live in denial if you are more on the fan side of a player. But the reason the lakers are losing is, by and large, LeBron James. Thats the puzzling part in the community of the lakers and LeBron fans. They continue to discuss who could help the team when the reality is, the biggest improvement would be to send him to some franchise for his farewell tour and use the money to find some one who isnt only out to chase some records and improve his „brand“ but actually tries to win games. Someone who doesnt sit out the games against tough opponents to play bottom dwellers including stat padding in garbage time, while at the same time claiming to be too old to play defense.

Why is it expected for a 38-40 year old to guard the best player in the league who doesn’t even play his position? The lakers are losing in the playoffs because they don’t have an adequate roster to complement their two best players. Again, your statements are not accurate. Please enlighten us on what games Lebron just randomly sat out to avoid playing a “tough opponents?”