If you asked an NBA fan twenty years ago a hypothetical question about LeBron James leading an NBA team into his forties, they would probably scoff at the idea before asking you to ask a more sensible question.
No one would argue that the Los Angeles Lakers forward came into the league as the next big thing. It was commonplace at the time to expect multiple championships from a player with an incredible rookie campaign. However, nobody expected him to have the kind of career he’s had over the past 22 seasons.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., right, is defended by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
While the King openly talks about retiring from the NBA, he’s still putting up monster numbers for the Purple and Gold. His 35-point outburst against the Memphis Grizzlies shows fans that he’s still good enough to carry on at least a couple more seasons before calling it a basketball career. What makes it even more spectacular is that he produced an incredible scoring feat in a triple-double performance.
His performance was spectacular that the Lakers’ head coach had to use superlatives to talk about LeBron’s performance.
JJ Redick praises LeBron James’ basketball ‘mastery’ after the Lakers complete their comeback win vs. Memphis
ESPN’s David McMenamin was present when the press asked JJ Redick about his thoughts on LeBron James’ incredible outing during the Lakers’ 123-128 comeback win against the Memphis Grizzlies.
LeBron’s current head coach and former Mind the Court cohost had nothing but praise to say about the Akron, OH native’s showing against a Ja Morant-less Grizzlies team. McMenamin also touched on the incredible triple-double stat the Lakers forward is enjoying:
“He’s mastered the game, and we don’t win that game, obviously, without him,” Redick said after James finished with 35 points on 13-for-22 shooting (4-of-7 from 3), 14 assists and 12 rebounds.
It was James’ fourth triple-double of the season through 11 games to bring his career regular-season total up to 116. And it was his third straight, all coming in wins during L.A.’s 3-0 homestand. The Lakers are 6-0 at home to start the season for the first time since 2010-11.
James also talked about his spectacular night against Memphis, saying that he didn’t force the issue offensively:
“I’m just living in the moment,” James said of the triple-doubles at this stage of his career. “It feels good to be able to go out and play the game that I love at a high level still. And every night I step out on the floor, I try to help our team be successful in any way, shape, form or fashion. So, in that sense it’s pretty cool.”
LeBron James is putting up incredible numbers for the Purple and Gold this season. The King is averaging 24.3 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 9.4 assists through 11 games, and it’s not strange to expect more triple-doubles to come in the future.
James’ retirement is a matter of when rather than if, so it’s amazing that the top pick of the 2003 Draft is still putting up incredible numbers in his advanced age. Lakers fans hope his play leads to one more championship banner before he officially retires from the league.