From the time LeBron James was tearing it up at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, it was obvious he was headed for something big in the NBA. At just 18, he signed a massive $90 million contract with Nike before playing a single professional game, a bold move that paid off. Even then, his physical gifts stood out and made him stand out from the crowd. Fast forward to today, and LeBron is in the midst of his 22nd NBA season, tying Vince Carter’s record for longevity in the NBA. He’s also one of only 32 players out of the thousands who have graced the league to play at age 40 or older. But here’s the kicker: LeBron isn’t like most of those legends who just cling to the roster. He and Michael Jordan are the only two to average over 30 minutes per game at that age.
What makes LeBron different-without saying he’s better than MJ-is that he has seven more seasons under his belt than Jordan did at 40, with higher minutes and sharper stats. There’s also no sign of his decline; he’s under contract for at least one more season with the Lakers, and he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. Frankly, we may be looking at the greatest physical athlete of all time – a total freak of nature.
How LeBron Keeps His Body and Mind in Top Shape
LeBron’s recent appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” gave us plenty to talk about, but his body stole the spotlight. At 40, his stamina is nothing short of amazing, and people can’t stop guessing how he does it. One big rumor floating around is that he spends $1 million a year to keep himself in tip-top shape. LeBron cracked up at that one, saying, “I don’t even know where that number came from!”
He didn’t shoot down the idea that he invests in his physique – just the crazy price tag. “I definitely invest in my body,” he said, rattling off his routine: soft-tissue therapy, massages, time in hyperbaric chambers, and soaking in ice baths. “Anything I can do to keep playing like this, I’m in,” he added. The proof is in the numbers: In his 22nd season, he’s averaging 24.9 points, 8.4 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game. Compared to his career numbers, his scoring is down a bit, but he’s grabbing more boards and dishing out more assists. And it’s not just physical-he’s big on mental toughness, too. “You got to take care of your head,” he said. “If your head’s not right, your game’s not going to be right.” Even after a two-week injury layoff this season, he came back strong, saying, “I feel great.
Just look at this video of him running around the court and making dunks like it is nothing, we are really witnessing history, I don’t understand how there are people who throw hate at him.
LeBron’s Superhuman Edge
The NBA is a grinder-physically punishing in a way that chews up most players long before they hit 40. Yet LeBron makes it look like a walk in the park. In his 22 seasons-including this one, with games left and a playoff push ahead-he’s played at least 70 games in 19 of them, playoffs included, and never averaged less than 33 minutes a night. That’s not just outstanding, it’s unreal. Right now, his goal is to lead the Lakers out of a rough patch – they’ve lost three in a row and won just three of their last 10. With the postseason fast approaching, the team is counting on LeBron’s strength and leadership.
He’s staying fresh in body and mind, which is his true superpower. Even before the Lakers added Luka Doncic, LeBron was optimistic, saying, “I felt like we could make a solid run, so I wanted to be there, physically and mentally.” At 40, he’s not just hanging around – he’s still dominating, and that’s what makes him a legend like no other.
Read the full article here
