LeBron James has been one of the best players in the NBA for over two decades.
His talent, work ethic, athleticism, and preparation have helped him stay relevant for way longer than the average player.
And while he’s not the only guy who’s played for that many years, he’s the only one who can brag about posting huge numbers at this point in his career.
That’s why, in the latest edition of The Etcs Podcast, Kevin Durant tipped his hat to his lifelong rival, praising him for still having that competitive fire at his age and for being able to adapt his game throughout the course of the years (via Legion Hoops).
Kevin Durant on LeBron’s greatness:
“He adapted his game and still has that youthful energy. Popping around everywhere, diving all over the floor. It’s inspiring to see. As a competitor, I’m like, ‘Man, f— that. I can do that s— too.”
(via The Etcs Podcast, @boardroom) pic.twitter.com/8h8ylEsgpD
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 5, 2023
You may or may not be a fan of LeBron’s game, and that’s fine.
He’s no longer the top-notch defender he was in his prime, and that’s also understandable, considering his age.
You could also argue that he doesn’t have a deep bag of moves or is the best long-range shooter.
But at the end of the day, none of that matters because he can still fill up the stat sheet and play winning basketball as few players can.
Moreover, he’s playing 35+ minutes at 38 years old, and he continues to overpower young players still in their physical prime.
Plenty of LeBron’s records are a product of his longevity, and that shouldn’t be a knock on his greatness but the complete opposite.
Even if one guy is physically able to withstand LeBron’s career, he may not have the same drive and motivation to continue competing at the highest level, and that’s why he’s so unique.
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