The saying goes that Father Time is undefeated. But Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James may be the first NBA player to truly give that phrase a run for its money. James is 41 years old and in his league-record 23rd season. And yet, he has led the Lakers through the first round of the playoffs and into the West Semifinals.
James signed with the Lakers as a 33-year-old in 2018, and many believed he was winding down on his Hall of Fame career. He continues to add to his legacy in L.A., though, with winning a playoff series as the No. 1 option just another feather in his cap. But if you had told a 33-year-old James that was possible, he’s not sure he would’ve agreed.
“I definitely didn’t believe that. I mean, listen, I came to the Lakers in 2018 at 33, and there’s no way if someone had said would you be playing in 2026 in the postseason, just playing, I don’t know if I would’ve been able to answer that question,” James said on the latest episode of “Mind the Game” podcast.
“Let alone saying but now you’re the number one option on a playoff team and you’re helping them win a series. I wouldn’t have believed that. I knew I still had a lot left in the tank when I came to this franchise in 2018. But to say eight years later at 41, I would be leading a team into the post season and coming out with a series win, I wouldn’t have guessed that. I wouldn’t have bet on that.”
James was not supposed to be leading the Lakers through the playoff this season. He had, after some tinkering, slotted comfortably into a third option role behind Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. But Grade 2 muscle strains to both players thrust James back into the lead position.
Because of that, the Lakers were heavy underdogs against the Houston Rockets in the first round. That didn’t stop James from leading L.A. to a series win in six games, after a 3-0 series lead. James averaged 23.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 8.3 assists in the series.
Now, James will try to do the impossible and lead L.A. through the West Semis against the even heavier favorites in the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander not taking LeBron James and Lakers lightly
Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gave props to the Lakers and James in the lead up to the second round series. He said that the team is well-coached and playing great basketball. Not to mention James’ big-game experience being a massive advantage.
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