WS Chronicle

For most athletes once they hit the age of 30, the clock starts to wind down on their careers.  For LeBron James, who just turned 34 on Dec. 30, he seems to be one of those rare athletes that defy Father Time and get better as he ages. James is in his 16th season and is still considered the best player in the game.  Throughout his career, James has had the uncanny ability to avoid any major injuries.  He is currently dealing with a groin injury, but as we have seen in previous years, he will bounce back sooner than later. Players such as Stephen Curry, James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard have all taken “shots” at the throne, but James continues to maintain his place.  All of the previously mentioned players have spent significant time on the injured list, except for James.  When it’s all said and done that will be one of his long-lasting qualities that further separated him from his competition. To be the top dog in your sport in your 16th year in the league is a feat, in and of itself.  The only other athlete that comes to mind would be Tom Brady of the New England Patriots.  Even the great Tom Brady missed an entire year when his knee was blown out in the first game of the 2008 season.

Today’s athletes are bigger, stronger and faster than ever before.  They are also more conscious of their eating habits and workout regimens.  These things have made for longer careers, but not on the level James has done it.

James was taken first overall in the 2003 NBA draft, which was one of the deepest drafts in the history of the league.  Potential hall of famers such as Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade were part of that class.  James is the only one that has maintained his All-Star level of play. It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that James will remain the best player in the world for the next two or three years.  He signed a four-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, so it will be interesting to see where he is on the NBA Mt. Rushmore at that time.

James is a once-in-a-lifetime type of talent.  We have never seen this combination of size, speed and athleticism in one player before.  His dedication to maintaining his top-notch physical condition is unmatched by any athlete.  Even those who are not LeBron fans should appreciate what we are seeing, because we will never have the privilege of seeing it again.