LeBron James is often praised by his peers and other former NBA players for his impressive professional career and the impact he continues to have on the court. Now, a Los Angeles Lakers icon shared a candid opinion about Bron.
“I’ve never seen no (expletive) 40-year-old like this,” Byron Scott assured on his Fast Break podcast. “I’ve never seen anybody at 40 years old dominate like he has, play the way he plays. I haven’t. I mean, to still be able to do it… You almost get lost for words to describe what you’re watching because he is really that amazing.”
On James’ longevity, Scott expressed surprise. “Every guy that gets to 36, 37, 38 — they have a slight decline in their productivity on the basketball court,” Byron said. He explained that this doesn’t happen with LeBron: “It’s no decline, you know? So it’s amazing to me to watch. Every game, I’m like, ‘How the hell does this dude do this at 40 years old?‘”
The NBA champion with the Lakers in 1985, 1987, and 1988 then speculated on how much longer James could continue his career. “I’m watching him play, and I’m like, ‘He could play two more years easy,’” Scott said. “I think it’s really totally up to him on how much longer he wants to play.”
Former Lakers player Byron Scott.
What will LeBron James’ retirement be like?
In the same conversation on Fast Break, Byron Scott stated that LeBron James will be the one to decide when his NBA career comes to an end, and that there won’t be any external factors conditioning his decision.
“LeBron, you know, when he says he’s ready to give it up, it’s not going to be because of injuries,” he began. “It’s not going to be because he lost his love for the game of basketball or just doesn’t like competing anymore. We know that ain’t happening. It’s going to be because he’s ready to walk away.”
Luka Doncic’s impact for the Lakers
Scott also talked about how the Los Angeles Lakers’ current dynamic has helped LeBron James take on a different role within the team—something that could potentially help him extend his NBA career for a few more seasons. “Luka being here has rejuvenated LeBron in a way of, ‘I don’t have to do as much. I can give him the ball and let him create for other players,’” Byron opined.
Finally, Scott praised James’ ability to adapt to different roles on the court: “He knows how to play off the ball. He knows how to cut, how to set a screen—all those things. ‘I’m a basketball player, right?’ So, I think Luka being here has definitely rejuvenated his game.”
