Why LeBron James’ longevity is unmatched in the NBA | Good Word with Goodwill
Yahoo Sports senior NBA writer Vincent Goodwill is joined by Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe to discuss how the game’s all-time leading scorer - who turns 39 years old on Saturday - has put together a career unlike any other in terms of length and relevancy. Hear the full conversation on “Good Word with Goodwill” - part of the “Ball Don’t Lie” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.
Video Transcript
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VINCENT GOODWILL: Well LeBron is, I guess, undisputedly impressive is the longevity and the usual energy that he has night to night. Like he's second in minutes played all time behind Kareem. He'll probably pass him next season. He's knifing games played. Of course, all-time scoring leader. Are you still surprised that he can rev up the energy night to night to night in year 21 or whatever the hell it is?
GARY WASHBURN: Oh, totally. I mean, you could argue-- I've always said this, I always thought Jordan was the greatest player of all time. LeBron has made it an argument. And I think that's the biggest compliment you can pay LeBron. LeBron has made this an argument.
He has made this a debate. Now, I still think Jordan is the greatest, but LeBron with his longevity, there is no athlete who has done this on the NBA level ever at 38. Kareem at 38 was-- had picked and [INAUDIBLE] his moments. That was-- Kareem at 38 was 1985 where he was kind of considered an old man, but he came back and had a good couple of games in the NBA Finals against the Celtics.
And then in the last four years of his career, he kind of steadily declined. With LeBron you don't obviously see that. He's playing at a high level. And it's kind of sad that he's still the best player on the team. I think everyone assumed that he was going to hand the mantle to Anthony Davis.
It was going to be AD's team. LeBron's going to be that number two guy, but that ain't worked out that way. LeBron ain't no number two to nobody at this point. So I do marvel at his athleticism. And then mix in that, Vinny, with the basketball IQ, with just how smart he is, how he reads his scouting reports. His overall high level maybe, we've seen this out of like Tom Brady in the NFL, a 38-year-old who's just dominating the game in other sports but not in basketball. We've never seen this, Vinny.
VINCENT GOODWILL: He can rev it up and be as good as Steph or as good as Jokic, as good as Embiid. He can be as good and as impactful as anybody on one given night. Can you count on him to do that one playoff series maybe? But four, that's a little tough for me. And I think we can marvel at the longevity and marvel at the sustained excellence that at year 21 that he still has some energy left and not that he is on a steady decline. Like some of the advanced stats aren't necessarily kind, but on a given night I think LeBron can be as good and as impactful as anybody.