LeBron James is celebrating his 40th birthday, making him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s, and 40s. This unprecedented feat highlights his longevity and dedication to the sport.
When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. 'They told me I'm old as hell,' James quipped. By NBA standards, they're not wrong. He was dubbed 'The Kid from Akron' when the Ohio native entered the league with a limitless future nearly 22 years ago.
He's now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard. His milestone birthday comes Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. Such a feat has happened a couple of dozen times in baseball before. It has happened in hockey — Gordie Howe was a five-decade player, appearing in the NHL from his teens to his 50s — but never in the NFL or the NBA. Until now. James is making more basketball history and creating a club all of his own. 'In some ways he's a freak of nature,' NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. 'I've been around a lot of great players and he's one of the hardest-working players I've been around. I mean, he doesn't take a day off. He seems to not take an afternoon off. He's always working on some part of his body. You meet with him and he's always soaking something or eating something with some contraption attached to him.' A 40th birthday, in NBA terms, means the on-court end is near. James will become the 30th player to appear in a regular-season game with a '4' as the first digit of his age; only nine logged more than 51 games after that birthday. He'll be the 32nd player to play after turning 40 overall; Tim Duncan and Danny Schayes both turned 40 during playoff runs in what became their final seasons. And for the most part, big numbers are largely nonexistent at that age. Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (who did it three times), John Stockton (twice), Michael Jordan, Robert Parish and Karl Malone have averaged more than 10 points in a season after turning 40
Lebron James NBA 40Th Birthday Longevity Record
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NBA: LeBron James pours in 32 points as Lakers sweep KingsLatest Philippine news from GMA News and 24 Oras. News, weather updates and livestreaming on Philippine politics, regions, showbiz, lifestyle, science and tech.
Read more »
Behind LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Lakers edge JazzDouble-doubles by LeBron James and Anthony Davis power the Lakers, who emerge victorious after a bizarre ending in which the Jazz coach calls a timeout just before the potential game-winner
Read more »
LeBron James Listed as Questionable for Game Against Atlanta Hawks Due to Foot SorenessLos Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is questionable for Friday's game against the Atlanta Hawks due to left foot soreness, despite his desire to play all remaining games in his 22nd season. The Lakers have suffered significant losses recently, while the Hawks are on a five-game winning streak.
Read more »
LeBron James misses 1st game this season, sidelined versus Portland due to left foot sorenessLOS ANGELES — LeBron James will sit out Sunday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to left foot soreness, the NBA career scoring leader's first missed game of the season.
Read more »
NBA: Timberwolves notch wire-to-wire win over LeBron-less LakersLatest Philippine news from GMA News and 24 Oras. News, weather updates and livestreaming on Philippine politics, regions, showbiz, lifestyle, science and tech.
Read more »
LeBron James' Status Up in Air as Lakers Face KingsThe Los Angeles Lakers, after losing the NBA Cup, aim to climb the Western Conference standings. LeBron James' participation is uncertain due to his left foot injury. The Lakers play the Sacramento Kings in a back-to-back series.
Read more »