LeBron James has been in the NBA since he was 18 years old. He got drafted into the league straight out of high school, which has served him well, considering he is the only active player remaining from the 2003 draft class. King James is entering his 21st season this year and is ready to make a run for his 5th NBA title. Stephen Curry?s long-term teammate, Andre Iguodala, had the chance to become the oldest active player in the NBA after Udonis Haslem hung up his boots last season. But the Former Finals MVP missed that opportunity when he announced his retirement earlier this year after a storied 19-year career.
Iguodala?s retirement cleared the way for 38-year-old LeBron James, who has now become the oldest player in the NBA. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar was ecstatic upon reaching this unique NBA milestone.
LeBron James reaches another milestone in his Hall of Fame career
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LeBron James was working out in the Lakers facility ahead of his first match of the NBA preseason against the Golden State Warriors. A reporter asked the 4-time Champion for his reaction to becoming the oldest player in the NBA. LeBron was ecstatic with his unique accomplishment and could only describe that feeling with this emotion, ?Aaaaaaaaah!? King James even shared the video on his Instagram story with several shocked emojis.
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Even though LeBron has become the oldest player in the NBA, it has not affected his dominance on the court. Just a few seconds after his hilarious reaction, The Akron Hammer was seen punching down an alley-oop with his head reaching the rim. Father Time has been kind to LeBron, as he is still playing at an elite level at age 38 and is one of the best players in the league. He averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists in his 20th season, a feat that has never been replicated in NBA history.
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LeBron James is on the verge of making history
King James will join an elite company this season, becoming only the 6th player in the history of the NBA to have played 21 or more seasons. And the surprising thing is that no one has done it the way LeBron has. The other 5 players who played more than 21 NBA seasons mostly acted as veteran leaders for their respective teams and hardly got any playing time in the later stages of their careers. But King James is still competing for a title and is arguably the best player in his team at age 38.
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LeBron also has a chance to create history next year by entering his 22nd NBA season. If he decides to continue his NBA career next season, he will join Vince Carter as the only player to have played 22 seasons in the league. And the way LeBron is playing, he will most likely reach that milestone. That will be a testament to LeBron?s longevity, and it will strengthen his claim for the GOAT title.
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