LeBron James has defied the odds. At 40, he is dominating the league and still topping nearly every elite list. But does his body not wear down? Well, guess what? Even the King isn’t immune to the effects of age. After two decades of physical toll, it’s starting to show. With a heavy heart, the Lakers’ superstar made the confession, but he also highlighted a particular skill that helps him keep going.

LeBron’s appearance on The Pat McAfee Show revealed several insights, including a decline in his athleticism. When the host mentioned how people doubted that Luka Doncic and LeBron’s chemistry would work due to both being ball-dominant players, LeBron didn’t hold back. “It must be the idiots that don’t know the game of basketball,” he claimed. LeBron also addressed the absurd chatter that circulates within the league and one of them being about the physical loss.

He reflected that many players in the past mostly relied on physical talent without fully understanding the game. “Just a lot of those guys that played the game or did not play the game, it was just they played the game while they were talented. I don’t think they ever thought the game. I don’t think they were ever smart. I just think they were bigger and stronger and maybe faster at the time, and they dominated. And when it was over, it was over,” LeBron boldly stated. He felt it was their raw physical abilities that kept them going. And once that wore off, their impact was gone.

But he, on the other hand, credited his longevity and success to his incredible basketball IQ, even though his athleticism has slightly declined. “That’s why I’m able to still play at f*****g 40 years old. In my mind, it’s just like I can play the game ’cause I can outthink the guys out there. And as my athleticism has went down a notch, not a lot… I’ve been able to still bring up other facets of my game to be able to still, you know, do what I need to do every single night,” LeBron James added. But wait, didn’t Kevin Durant say something similar months ago to what the 4x champion is expressing now?

Kevin Durant highlighted LeBron James’ major physical loss

Look back at Team USA’s Paris Olympic campaign, where the squad was undeniably star-studded, but the golden trio, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, were a bit older. When Joel Embiid made a remark about the aging squad, it struck a chord with KD. “Of course, we’re older and we all have mileage on our bodies,” the 36-year-old said in response to the media.

KD further mentioned that, while they might not have the physical abilities of younger players, they know how to deliver. To illustrate that, he even used LeBron James as an example. “The thing about greatness is that you adjust and continue to find ways to be effective. That’s what LeBron has done,” he said. “He’s not running and jumping the same way he was when he was 25, 26 years old, but he’s still jumping pretty high and running pretty fast.”

While it might not seem that way when LeBron suits up for the Lakers, it’s only natural for him to slow down a bit. What he can’t compensate for with physical strength, he makes up for with his ability to outsmart his opponents. And bet you can’t say he doesn’t do that. He’s been doing it for 22 years. LeBron James has also clarified that he would continue to give his best until his wheels fall off. And based on the MVP-like season he’s having, it doesn’t seem like that day is coming anytime soon.