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LeBron James turned 40 on Monday, although the Los Angeles Lakers star is fairly confident he will be able to compete at a high level for many years to come.
“It won’t be because I can’t play this game at a high level,” he told reporters while answering a question about what could lead to his eventual retirement. “Honestly, if I really wanted to, I could probably play this game at a high level for another five to seven years. If I wanted to, but I’m not going to.”
James noted that his plan is to retire from the Lakers:
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“I think that’s the plan. I would love it if it ended here. … Hopefully I don’t have to go anywhere before my career is over.”
LeBron on ending his career in LA
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He has attributed his longevity— and the ability to endure the physical and mental grind — on a “dedication to the craft and to the passion and love I have for the game.”
“I don’t take a lot of time off in the offseason,” James added. “Now a little bit more time. I didn’t spend a lot of time in the offseason, regardless of playing the ten (NBA) Finals in a row and just always trying to keep my body in top shape. And I, like I said, have a lot being able to play minutes and for most of my career I have been injury free in this league and in this sport. Being available for the most part to my teammates, to the franchises, the three franchises that I play for, is something that I have taken very seriously. “
The result is a career that includes four championships, four MVP awards, twenty All-Star Game appearances, a Rookie of the Year award, a scoring title and numerous records, including most points scored and games played in NBA history .
Whether James is the GOAT is a matter of personal preference and perhaps generations, but there’s no doubt he’s firmly in that conversation. Very few players in NBA history have been this good for at least that long.
And James doesn’t expect him to slow down anytime soon.