Kevin Durant said on Mar. 19 that Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James could continue playing in the NBA for another four to five years, despite being in his 23rd season at age 41.
Durant’s comments come after James delivered a standout performance in the Lakers’ second consecutive win over the Houston Rockets, scoring 30 points on 13-of-14 shooting. The discussion about James’ longevity is significant as he continues to defy expectations for athletes of his age and experience.
“Me? I think he can play until he’s 45 years old. I don’t know if he wanna be around that long, but I think he can play for another 4-5 more years, if I’m to be honest. It’s not a surprise anymore. His age, he is 41, but he looks great out there. I mean, when you love the game as much as he does you’ll do anything to stay locked in and stay on top of your game. So he’s very inspiring as a human being,” Durant said via SportsCenter.
James’ recent performance also saw him make history by becoming the oldest player ever to score at least 30 points while shooting at least 90 percent from the field, surpassing the previous record by nearly five years. While James may no longer carry an offense as consistently as during his prime or possess the same athleticism, his basketball intelligence and vision remain among the best in the league.
Alongside Durant and Stephen Curry, James continues to represent a generation of NBA players who are still considered among the league’s elite. Observers note that what sets James apart is his ability to maintain high-level performances even as he adapts his role within the team.
