LeBron James, still in remarkable physical shape, acknowledges the toll of his 21-year NBA career as he approaches his 40s.
During a recent episode of Mind the Game Pod, James likened his current physical condition to that of a 2003 Cadillac Escalade with tires that have never been changed.
The comparison arose in response to questions about his ability to handle defensive matchups against elite players like Kawhi Leonard or James Harden on a nightly basis.
“I was explaining to my wife the other day. She asked me how am I feel when I came home after a game,” LeBron said. “I said babe, just imagine buying a 2003 Escalade and it’s 2024 and you never changed the tires. So rub my feet please.”
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The Los Angeles Lakers have been cautious in managing James’ minutes as he ages. Initially aiming for around 29 minutes per game, head coach Darvin Ham adjusted the plan based on James’ comfort and input from the training staff. Despite efforts to limit his playing time, James has averaged 35.2 minutes per game in 62 starts this season, potentially marking the 19th time in his career he surpasses the 35-minute mark per contest.
James holds the NBA record for career minutes played, with an astounding 67,390 between regular season and playoffs. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the only other player to exceed 65,000 minutes played.
Ankle soreness sidelined James for a recent game against the Milwaukee Bucks, a condition attributed to the wear and tear expected for a player of his age and career longevity, as reported by ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on March 7.
