Even LeBron James’ biggest enemies should root for him in his battle with father time. – News Block

We need to talk about what LeBron James is doing right now.

Because it won’t be long before we’re only talking about him in the past tense.

LeBron James had 20 rebounds last night in the Lakers’ overtime win over the 2-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. In doing so, he became the oldest player in NBA history to have a 20-point, 20-rebound playoff game.

The last time it happened, Wilt Chamberlain was on the court and Richard Nixon was president.

We’re talking about the definition of a generational achievement.

Of course, the series isn’t over, but as the 2023 playoffs progress, LeBron is sneaking up on Kareem Abdul Jabbar for fifth all-time in playoff rebounding, and once he passes Kareem, he’ll be among top five in almost every playoff. category in stock.

He is currently third all-time in three-pointers made. Second in assists. Second in triple-doubles. First, by far, in robberies. First in total wins. And he’s so far ahead in total points scored that the record may never be broken.

And at 38, in his 20th NBA season, he’s averaging 24, 13 and 5. What are we supposed to compare that to?

Only nine other players in NBA history made it to the 20th season. Only five of them played in the playoffs at age 38 or later. The only player on that list who wasn’t in serious decline at 38 was Kareem, but even so, the Lakers had resorted to having Magic Johnson and Maurice Lucas break the glass so Kareem could focus his energy on the offensive end. .

I don’t care if you don’t like LeBron James. If you don’t like him now, for whatever reason, I won’t be the one to convince you after two decades that you’re wrong.

But if you can’t appreciate what he’s doing right now, you *are* wrong.

Even if you love LeBron, you may have come to take for granted the idea that he will always be around. He is not! Don’t take it for granted. Everything ends.

LeBron James is stealing time right now. He is defying the laws of nature. The same laws that made the great Kobe Bryant play in his last playoff series at age 33. The same laws that saw Charles Barkley and Larry Bird win a combined 3 playoff series after age 31.

Even Michael Jordan, after three years off, felt the effects of father time at 38. He had 8 double doubles in 53 starts in his first year with the Wizards.

LeBron started 54 regular-season games at age 38, had 18 double-doubles and averages a double-double in the playoffs.

You mean to tell me you hate LeBron James so much that you’ve resorted to rooting for the undefeated villain of all villains, father time, while he stands alone as the only great basketball player still here after two decades, phenomenal father? time ass?

It couldn’t be me. never been me it will never be me

The window to enjoying something we’ve never seen, and may never see again, is closing fast. But it’s not closed yet. So enjoy the breeze while you can.

Let that sink in.