LeBron James continues to redefine greatness in the NBA, even as he surpasses the age of 40. According to a recent post by Basketball USA Shorts, LeBron has achieved more after turning 40 than both Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant combined after they turned 35.
The post highlights that once MJ and Kobe crossed the age of 35, their impact on the game significantly declined. They recorded:
0 playoff wins
0 All-NBA team selections
0 notable impact on team success or winning
In stark contrast, LeBron James at age 40 was still performing at an elite level. He ranked in the top 10 in advanced statistical metrics such as:
PER (Player Efficiency Rating)
BPM (Box Plus/Minus)
VORP (Value Over Replacement Player)
Additionally, he posted an impressive stat line of 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists per game, and even finished 6th in MVP voting, a rare feat for someone at that age.
The post makes a bold assertion that it’s time to stop comparing Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant to LeBron in terms of longevity and sustained impact. It concludes with a decisive statement:
There’s LeBron and there’s everyone else.”
This perspective underscores the unique legacy of LeBron James, particularly in the context of aging athletes. While MJ and Kobe are legends in their own right, LeBron’s continued dominance past 40 is rewriting the narrative of what’s possible in the twilight years of a basketball career.
