Wednesday, November 20, 2024

LeBron James has ruined basketball, says a former Cavs star, drawing backlash from fans


LeBron James is one of the most celebrated athletes in basketball history, often hailed as one of the greatest players of all time. Known for his incredible skills, court vision, and versatility, LeBron has made a significant impact on the NBA since he entered the league in 2003.

With multiple championships, MVP awards, and an impressive career spanning over two decades, he has not only redefined what it means to be a superstar but has also influenced the way the game is played. However, his legacy is not without controversy, particularly regarding the trend of forming super teams that has reshaped the league.

LeBron's pre-game groove falls flat as Lakers stick to business

Recently, former Cleveland Cavaliers player Iman Shumpert stirred the pot by claiming that LeBron has "ruined basketball." In a candid chat on The Big Podcast With Shaq, Shumpert criticized James for initiating the super team phenomenon, arguing that it has negatively affected the sport.

When asked whether Steph Curry's dominance with three-pointers has caused problems, Shumpert quickly redirected the focus back to LeBron, emphasizing that his inclination to create super teams was a significant issue for the NBA.

Shumpert pointed out how players like Michael Jordan remained loyal to their teams, contrasting that with LeBron's approach. He lamented, "The person that ruined all of this was Bron... I felt like Bron was the guy that did it. I felt like when Bron made it okay for people to team up, it stopped making the star player have to come back with something added to their game."

This perspective highlights Shumpert's belief that LeBron's actions have fundamentally changed the competitive landscape of the NBA, making it easier for star players to join forces rather than striving to elevate their individual games.

LeBron's decision to join the Miami Heat in 2010, forming a super team with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, marked a pivotal moment in NBA history. It was the first time that elite players in their prime chose to come together, and this move set a precedent that many others have followed since. While some fans embraced this shift, viewing it as a new era of collaboration, others, like Shumpert, see it as a dilution of the competitive spirit that once defined the league.

After Shumpert's comments went viral, fans didn't hold back in expressing their opinions online. One fan remarked, "people still running with this false dumbass narrative Imao, and the fact that it's comi," showcasing the mixed reactions to Shumpert's viewpoint. Another wrote: "He is lucky that he won a championship in 2016 on the Cleveland Cavaliers with LeBron James on his team and his basketball career has average at best".

The backlash illustrates how deeply divided fans are on this issue, with many defending LeBron's choices and others echoing Shumpert's sentiments.

Dolphins' Jonnu Smith says teammate Calais Campbell is 'like the LeBron James of the NFL'


The Miami Dolphins have battled their fair share of turbulence this season.

At one point, the Dolphins owned a 2-6 record. However, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's return from injury has stabilized the team's offense and has helped Miami win its past two games. 

During the offseason, former Miami Hurricanes star Calais Campbell decided to return to South Florida and signed with the Dolphins.

The six-time Pro Bowler is in the midst of his 17th NFL season, and the experienced veteran defensive tackle has made a profound impact on the 2024 Dolphins — if you ask one of his teammates. Tight end Jonnu Smith recently praised Campbell, 38, for continuing to showcase his ability to be a key contributor.

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Oct 27, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith (9) enters the field before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Hard Rock Stadium. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

"Calais is one of my favorite teammates in all the sports that I've played," Smith said during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show."

Campbell recorded his fourth sack of the year during Miami's 34-19 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 11. Campbell's four sacks are the most by any player on the Dolphins roster this season. He now has 109.5 career sacks.

WHY COWBOYS SHOULD GO ALL-IN FOR DEION, SHEDEUR SANDERS DESPITE DAK PRESCOTT'S CONTRACT

The veteran defensive lineman has also played an important role in Miami's run defense. But, Campbell's impact extends beyond the football field. The 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year has brought more leadership to the Dolphins locker room.

Nov 11, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) leaves the field after the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

"He's like the LeBron James of the NFL right now as far as his age and the production that he brings to the game, still playing at a high level. I mean, the guy is 1,000 years old and playing like he's 21."

Campbell is among the short list of NFL athletes who have played the defensive lineman position who have been able to continue playing — let alone make an impact — once they reached their late-30s. 

Sep 8, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Calais Campbell (93) celebrates after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars  at Hard Rock Stadium. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

Smith, who was also teammates with Campbell in Atlanta with the Falcons last season, then described Campbell as the "best leader" he's "been around.

If Campbell is able to log two more sacks over the course of the Dolphins' seven remaining games, he will pass former Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald for 40th on the all-time list.

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The Dolphins will welcome the New England Patriots in Week 12 for an AFC East division showdown. 

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Shaquille O'Neal told why LeBron James is to blame for the NBA's decline and not Steph Curry


Published 15:37 19 Nov 2024 GMT

Steph Curry is widely considered to be the greatest shooter in NBA history.

The Golden State Warriors icon holds the record for the most three-pointers made in the league's history and his highlight reel includes dozens of jaw-dropping, game-winning shots from long distance.

It's an approach that has proven to be hugely successful for Curry, too. The 36-year-old point guard has won four NBA titles, two Most Valuable Player awards and one Finals MVP.

But Curry is often blamed for what many observers perceive to be an unattractive style of play that has developed in the NBA in recent years.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat guarded by Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics

Curry's shooting prowess has inspired copycats around the league, players and teams who aim to shoot long-range efforts with a high frequency but who do not possess the same level of skill as the Warriors' three-point king.

To many, the prevalence of three-point shots is off-putting and a detriment to the NBA as a product.

But when asked about whether he thinks Curry has impacted the game in a negative way due to his influence on the modern playing style, one of LeBron James' former team-mates instead cited the Los Angeles Lakers icon as a bigger reason for the NBA's declining entertainment factor.

Iman Shumpert, whose 10-year NBA career included a spell alongside James with the Cavaliers as well as stops with the New York Knicks, Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets, believes James' decision to join the Miami Heat in 2010 – where he teamed up with fellow All-Stars Dywane Wade and Chris Bosh to form a 'big three' – was more damaging to the NBA than Curry's influence on three-point shooting.

"Has Steph [Curry] ruined the game? Because I also was asked this and I said 'the person who ruined all of this was [LeBron James]," Shumpert said during a recent appearance on Shaquille O'Neal's podcast, The Big Pod with Shaq.

"[LeBron James] went to Miami [Heat]. Now everybody thinking like it's cool, y'all could team up. Now you create the three-headed snake out of Steph Curry now. Once they beat us [Cleveland Cavaliers], the two-pointer was gone. If you really break it down. It's our fault. If we didn't lose that first championship, who's shooting threes?"

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images

Topics: Lebron James, Steph Curry , NBA, Basketball, LA Lakers

Monday, November 18, 2024

Bronny James Limited to 4 Points for G League Lakers with LeBron in Attendance


Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

Bronny James made his second G League appearance of the season for the South Bay Lakers on Sunday night.

James struggled with his efficiency during the contest, finishing with four points on 2-10 shooting and missing both of his three-point attempts during a 127-122 loss to the Stockton Kings. He also recorded two rebounds, two assists and a block.

His two buckets consisted of a contested layup with his left hand as well as a fadeaway jumper in the second quarter.

LeBron James was in attendance, having a brief conversation with his son during halftime.

Fans reacted to Bronny's performance on Sunday.

It's been a slow start to the 20-year-old's G League career, as he previously recorded six points and shot 22.2 percent from the field during his first appearance with the team on Nov. 9.

As he transitions between the NBA and the G League, he's only expected to play in home games for South Bay. While it allows him to gain more experience in the association, it may also be affecting his scoring rhythm.

The younger James' next opportunity to improve in the G League will come on Nov. 24, as South Bay hosts Stockton once again.

Sunday, November 17, 2024

VIDEO: LeBron James Didn’t Sugarcoat His Feelings When Asked About His Clutch Three-Pointers Against New Orleans Pelicans


LeBron James reflects on his clutch performance against the New Orleans PelicansLeBron James (Image Credit: Jovan Buha/Youtube)

LeBron James amazed everyone at the Smoothie King Center with his impressive performance. In the recent game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans, James faced some challenges early on but delivered a remarkable display of skill in the match's final minutes. His heroics led the Lakers to extend their winning streak to five games.

In the game's final minutes, James made an incredible three-pointer that put the Lakers ahead 98-97. He followed this up with another three-pointer, extending the lead to 101-97. During the post-game interview with Jovan Buha, James was candid about his feelings regarding his clutch three-pointers.

"Just living in the moment, being able to still make plays and make big shots at this point in my career. That's what you live for. You never will be able to get those moments back when you're done." James said.

James's contributions during crucial moments were essential to the Lakers' 104-99 victory over the Pelicans. The Lakers star finished the game with 21 points, 5 assists, and seven rebounds in 37 minutes of play.

James stands as the oldest active player in the league, yet he continues to demonstrate remarkable skill and endurance. Recently, he executed an astonishing shot from the opposite free-throw line during practice, showcasing his impressive abilities.

James consistently delivers strong performances, as seen in the recent game against the Pelicans. Another player who made significant contributions in the win against the Pelicans was Lakers forward Dalton Knecht. Knecht scored 27 points, had 2 assists, and grabbed 7 rebounds. Moreover, Lakers star James praised his impressive performance.

He's been a pro for a while. I talked about it last year, so it's no surprise to me. His shooting, his finishes, he can get it off versus anybody," James said (via Daniel Starkand of Lakers Nation).

LeBron James on Dalton Knecht: pic.twitter.com/9LLw5fbrOb

— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) November 17, 2024

Following the recent win over the Pelicans, the Lakers now hold a strong 9-4 regular-season record. Their upcoming matchup against the Utah Jazz promises to be thrilling.

Also Read: REPORT: Lakers Superstar LeBron James And Netflix Being Sued For Allegedly Stealing Some Of The Clips

Why Draymond sees similarities between LeBron and Sharks' Celebrini


Why Draymond sees similarities between LeBron and Sharks' Celebrini originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Draymond Green is perhaps the biggest Macklin Celebrini fan in the world.

And if th e four-time NBA champion hadn't already made his case clear, he took the time to expound to reporters on the Sharks rookie center's greatness after the Warriors' 123-118 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Chase Center.

How so?

Green compared Celebrini's current scenario with the Sharks to that of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James' with the Cleveland Cavaliers when he was an 18-year-old NBA rookie in 2003.

"When you're being compared to the greats at 18? Man," Green told reporters. "LeBron James was compared to the greats at 18, and he outlived it. Mack has that thing, and I think to be compared to the greats at 18, whatever people's hopes are or thoughts of what he will become, he'll outdo that. And I'm looking forward to watching it."

Prior to being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Celebrini flourished at Boston University, where he became the youngest-ever winner of the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey's top player.

As a result, Celebrini, who turned 18 in June, has drawn comparisons to future Hall of Famers such as Sidney Crosby and Jonathan Toews by leading NHL analysts.

But Green detailed how he knew of Celebrini's star potential for years, as Macklin's father, Rick, joined Golden State in 2018 as the team's director of sports medicine and performance.

"Well, I've known him since he was 10 years old," Green said. "When you see someone walk in with their hockey stick the moment you meet them.

"I had a conversation with him and was like, 'Yo, you're going be the No. 1 pick … at 12.' And to see that come to fruition, and to know the work that he's put in and everything that he's up against, like, what a special talent to be 18 years old, and there's nights where he's the best player on the ice.

"I mean, wow."

A fierce competitor himself, Green pointed to Celebrini's mentality and tenacity on the ice as key strengths in his game, which he claims the Sharks center has possessed since his USHL days in Chicago.

"I went to see Mack play when he was playing with Chicago when we were in Chicago," Green recalled. "This dude came in and chucked him. Crazy chuck.

"And Mack came back down the court and chucked the dude. The dude didn't fall. He went right back at him and skated to the penalty box. When your best player has that type of attitude, it sets up your organization for success."

Green, who Cele brini recently called a "super fan" of his, has demonstrated his support for the future of San Jose multiple times this season.

On Friday, the Warriors star forward did so again – and it probably won't be his last. After all, he expects nothing short of greatness from Celebrini for years to come.

"He just seems so much more advanced," Green concluded. "His brain is as good, if not better, than his skill set.

"And his skill set is one of the best in the league already. I'm impressed by him, to say the least. I'm looking forward to watching him chase greatness."

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Saturday, November 16, 2024

NBA Cup takeaways: LeBron James extends triple-double streak, DeAaron Fox drops 60, Jalen Brunson saves Knicks


The 2024 NBA Cup continued on Friday night and what a night of wild action it brought with 11 games on the slate. We had a 60-point game, a game-winning shot and block, and the third-longest winning streak to begin a season extended. 

Before we get to the main takeaways, here are all the results from Friday night's NBA Cup action, and you can find the Cup standings here. 

  • Heat 124, Pacers 111
  • Magic 98, 76ers 86
  • Pistons 99, Raptors 95
  • Hawks 129, Wizards 117
  • Cavaliers 144, Bulls 126
  • Knicks 124, Nets 122
  • Lakers 120, Spurs 115
  • Rockets 125, Clippers 104
  • Pelicans 101, Nuggets 94
  • Thunder 99, Suns 83
  • Warriors 123, Grizzlies 118
  • Timberwolves 130, Kings 126 (OT)
  • Cavaliers remain perfect

    The Cleveland Cavaliers improved to 14-0, the longest winning streak in franchise history at any point in a season, with Friday's 144-126 home win over the Chicago Bulls. The Cavs, now 1-0 in the NBA Cup, are well over halfway to the best start in NBA history, which belongs to the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors who won their first 24 games.

    The final score on Friday was deceiving. This was a four-point game with under three minutes to play, but the Cavaliers closed on a 21-7 flurry to make it look a lot more lopsided on paper. 

    Cleveland's 14 straight wins to open the season matches the 2002-03 Dallas Mavericks and the 1957-58 Boston Celtics for third on the all-time list. The Cavaliers can match the second-best start in history, which belongs to the 1993-94 Houston Rockets -- who went on to win the championship -- if they can beat the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday for a 15th consecutive win. 

    Cleveland got past Chicago without the services of Evan Mobley, who was out with an illness. No big deal. All fellow big man Jarrett Allen did was put up 24 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks on 11-of-15 shooting. 

    Pair that with 66 combined points from Donovan Mitchell (37) and Darius Garland (29) on 11-of-20 3-point shooting, plus 22 points and four more 3-pointers off the bench for Caris LeVert, and the Cavs, who shot 43 3-pointers and connected on them at a 48% clip, had plenty of offense to go around.

    Chicago was led by Coby White (29 points and six 3-pointers) and Nikola Vucevic, who continued his splendid start to the season with 25 points on 11-of-16 shooting. 

    Brunson, Bridges save Knicks

    The New York Knicks are doing all they can to tread water right now. The offense has been spectacular, the defense has been anything but, and it has added up to a 6-6 record after Jalen Brunson hit a game-winner to defeat the Brooklyn Nets, 124-122, on Friday.

    New York, which is tied with Orlando atop the East's NBA Cup Group A with a 2-0 record, didn't make it easy on itself. After leading by 21 in the closing seconds of the third quarter, the Knicks managed just four points over the first four-plus minutes of the fourth quarter. The drought allowed the Nets to come back, and the Knicks found themselves trailing by a point when they called a timeout with 11 seconds left in the game. 

    That's when Brunson did his thing, isolating against Dorian Finney-Smith in the left corner, clearing space with a swing through, and rising up for the go-ahead 3-pointer. 

    The shot didn't officially end it, however, because the Nets, now down two, still had six seconds to work with. It looked like Dennis Schroder was on his way to a game-tying layup as he raced back down the court and got behind Knicks forward Mikal Bridges with a clear path to the rim. But Bridges stayed in range and was able to block Schroder's shot from behind to finish Brooklyn off. 

    Brunson and Bridges each finished with season-high scoring totals, Brunson with 37 and Bridges with 22. Bridges, who has shot lights out from inside the arc this season but had yet to get his 3-point stroke going (30% entering Friday), made four of his seven 3-pointers, while Brunson finished 12-of-20 overall and 10 of 12 from the free throw line with 16 fourth-quarter points.

    DeAaron Fox scores 60 in loss

    Fox lit up the Timberwolves for the first 60-point game of the 2024-25 NBA season, which included a 20-point barrage in the fourth quarter as the Kings, playing without DeMar DeRozan and Malik Monk, rallied from a 16-point deficit at the end of three to force overtime, where the Kings ultimately fell short against Minnesota, 130-126. 

    Interesting note here on 60-point performances from our Sam Quinn

    In all of NBA history, only 25 teams have lost a game in which one of their players scored 60 points. However, five of those games have now come in the calendar year of 2024 alone. Karl-Anthony TownsDevin BookerStephen Curry and Jalen Brunson all lost such games between January and March of 2024. Brunson and Curry also did so in overtime. 

    LeBron posts another triple-double

    That's a career-high four straight trip-dubs for James, who finished with 15 points, 16 rebounds and 12 assists in the Lakers' 120-115 win over Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. This LeBron-running-point experiment is working out pretty well. 

    Imagine that. One of the best passers and overall smartest players in history at 6-foot-8 who continues to possess incredible scoring leverage is an effective offensive orchestrator. Who woulda thunk it? Perhaps the Lakers didn't need to go get Russell Westbrook to "take the playmaking load" off James' shoulders. Never question putting the ball in this guy's hands. I don't care how old he is. 

    The Lakers are 1-0 in the NBA Cup, tied atop the West's Group with Oklahoma City (OKC, which defeated the Suns 99-83 on Friday, has the edge by virtue of its plus-16 point differential to the Lakers' plus-five).

    AD's MVP season continues

    Anthony Davis hung 40 points and 12 rebounds on San Antonio. For the season, Davis is averaging 31.1 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks on ... get this ... 56/42/80 shooting splits. Yes, Davis is making 42% (well, 41.7 if you want to get technical) of his 3s. He's 10 for his last 14 from deep over his last five games!

    Davis is just an absolute beast on both ends and has to be near the top of any credible MVP discussion.

    Harden ties Ray Allen for career 3s

    With a step-back corner 3-pointer at the 2:21 mark of the first quarter, LA Clippers guard James Harden tied Ray Allen for second all-time with 2,973 career triples. 

    Somehow Harden failed to make another one the rest of the way as the Clippers fell to the Rockets, but it won't be long before Harden ranks above every 3-point shooter in history not named Stephen Curry

    Warriors keep rolling

    Are the Golden State Warriors seriously this good? With a win over Memphis on Friday, they moved to 10-2 on the season (2-0 in the NBA Cup, good enough for first place in the West's Group C). They didn't even need a big game from Stephen Curry, who finished with just 13 points on nine shots. Curry did pile up eight rebounds, five assists and four steals, and he was a game-high plus-nine. His impact, even when he's not scoring, is always elite. 

    Buddy Hield, who has been throwing flames all season, led the Warriors with 18 points on 4-of-8 3-point shooting. Golden State played 12 players at least 11 minutes and nobody over 30, and six guys scored double-digits. The depth of this team is unmatched across the league. 

    76ers are in the tank

    If you thought Paul George and Joel Embiid finally getting on the court was just going to magically fix the mess than has been the Philadelphia 76ers this season, think again. 

    The Sixers are now 0-2 with George and Embiid in the lineup together (and just 1-5 with George), with the most recent shellacking coming at the hands of the Orlando Magic, 98-86, on Friday. The Sixers, now 2-10 overall, sit in last place of the East's Group A with an 0-2 NBA Cup record and a minus-24 point differential so far. 

    George and Embiid combined to miss 21 of their 30 shots and 11 of 14 3-pointers on Friday. Embiid was able to drum up 20 points because he made 10 free throws. Tyrese Maxey is out, and it remains a pretty sad state of affairs in Sixers land. 

    NBA Cup format reminder ...

    With the 30 teams split up in six five-team groups, everybody will have played at least one game by the end of Friday. And with only four games in group play, there isn't much margin for error. Here's a summary of how the tournament works:

  • The NBA's 30 teams have been split into six five-team groups: Three groups in the Eastern Conference and three groups in the Western Conference.
  • Teams will play the other four teams in their group in round-robin style play on Tuesdays and Fridays between Nov. 12 and Dec. 3.
  • Eight teams (the six group winners plus one wild-card team from each conference) will advance to the knockout round. The standings will be determined by overall record, head-to-head record and point differential if a tiebreaker is needed (there are even more tiebreakers if necessary). 
  • The knockout round will be a single-elimination bracket. The four East teams will be on one side of the bracket, the four West teams will be on the other. The final between the East and West winners will be held on Dec. 17 in Las Vegas.
  • The NBA Cup will continue on Nov. 19 with six games, including the unbeaten Cavs against the reigning champion Celtics.

    Friday, November 15, 2024

    LeBron James gives surprising update on retirement timeline


    LeBron James

    Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)AP

    It appears the end of LeBron's James' remarkable career may be getting closer.

    That

    That's according to the man himself.

    The 39-year-old Lakers star appeared to address his career timeline following a win against the Grizzlies on Wednesday night in which he posted a triple-double with 35 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds.

    "It's not me, it's the mind," James told reporters. "Wherever my mind is is how the rest of my body's gonna go or whatever the case may be. I don't know, I'm not gonna play that much longer to be completely honest. I don't know how many years that is, if it's one year, two years, whatever the case may be."

    For the season, James is still as good as ever, averaging 24.3 points, 9.4 assists and 8.1 rebounds for the 7-4 Lakers.

    So, while it's hard to see him hanging up the shoes anytime soon, this is year 22, and he's already accomplished the goal of playing with his son, Bronny.

    James, who has often been concerned with legacy and the state of the NBA, seemed to indicate he didn't want to outstay his welcome.

    "I said the other night that I'm not playing until the wheels fall off. I'm not gonna be that guy. I'm not gonna be the guy that's disrespecting the game because I want to be out there on the floor. That's not gonna be me," he said.

    James comments come after ESPN basketball insider Shams Charania reported that next season could be James's last in his hi storic career. Charania did also indicate that James may wait to see if his younger son Bryce can make it to the NBA in the next couple years.

    James and the Lakers take on Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs on Friday.

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    LeBron James hints at retirement timeline after historic streak: 'I'm not going to play that much longer'


    LeBron James made the sort of history he makes frequently on Wednesday: he became the oldest player to accomplish a feat his younger counterparts practically never reach. This time, it related to triple-doubles. James is up to 116 of them in his career, but more importantly, he's now done so three games in a row. That makes him the oldest player ever to do so, breaking a record previously owned by ... himself. Nearly five years ago, James broke the exact same record with three straight triple-doubles during the 2019-20 season.

    It's the sort of thing only James could accomplish, but it was also a reminder that he won't be doing this forever. James is 39. He's comfortably the NBA's oldest player now. He'll turn 40 in December, and he'll soon break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's minutes record. This is coming to an end sooner or later, and as James hinted after Wednesday's win over the Memphis Grizzlies, it's time for the basketball world to start thinking more in terms of "sooner" than later.

    "Obviously, it's the mind; wherever my mind is, is how the rest of my body is going to go, whatever the case may be, I don't know. I'm not going to play that much longer, to be completely honest," James said. "One year, two years, whatever the case may be. I said the other night that I'm not playing until the wheels fall off. I'm not. I'm not going to be that guy. I'm not going to be the guy disrespecting the game because I just want to be out on the floor."

    This mostly stands up to both James' previous statements on the matter and the reporting done by others. ESPN's Shams Charania said that James would play two or three more years before the season began. As recently as Sunday, James said that he wouldn't "do it until the wheels fall off."

    But the longer he keeps breaking records, the harder it is to believe that he's nearing retirement. James is still a top-20 scorer in the NBA. He ranks fourth in the league in assists and the Lakers are 7-4 under new coach JJ Redick. He's on track for a record 21st All-Star selection at this rate, and with a few roster tweaks, he could potentially go on another playoff run. James may not be at his peak, but he's still among the very best players in the NBA. There's no reason to believe he can't continue to help teams for years to come.

    But all good things come to an end, and James has other ambitions. He has said openly that he hopes to own an expansion team in Las Vegas, and he is involved in a number of other businesses as the first active NBA player to ever become a billionaire. James is busy. He may not be showing it, but he's getting older. Enjoy these record-breaking performances while you can, because there may not be that many more of them left.

    Looking for more NBA coverage? John Gonzalez, Bill Reiter, Ashley Nicole Moss and special guests dive deep into the league's biggest storylines daily on the Beyond the Arc podcast.

    Thursday, November 14, 2024