LeBron James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer, celebrates his 40th birthday on Monday. (Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)LeBron James at 40: The NBA’s brightest star confronts the fading of the spotlight.
As LeBron turns 40 on Monday, he becomes the first NBA player to compete in his teens, 20s, 30s, and 40s. Deciding when to step away might be the toughest challenge of his legendary journey.
It’s Christmas Day at Chase Center in San Francisco, and a swarm of journalists surrounds a smiling yet visibly fatigued LeBron James in the visiting locker room. Moments earlier, he had added another chapter to his storied rivalry with friend and competitor Stephen Curry. When asked about the “good stuff” in the NBA amidst recent concerns over its entertainment value, James grins and confidently replies, “LeBron and Steph.” He’s not wrong.
But an unspoken truth looms just days before his 40th birthday on 30 December: the end of LeBron’s extraordinary career is drawing near. While no one—not even James—can predict exactly how much longer he’ll remain in the NBA, his time is limited.
Since returning from a cryptic nine-day absence earlier this season, James has been playing at an elite level again, shaking off the early struggles that saw him post his worst shooting stats since his rookie year over two decades ago. The slump, a rare sign of decline, sparked questions about whether it marked the beginning of the end for the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. However, his resurgence suggests it might have been a mere aberration, likely exacerbated by post-Olympic fatigue after securing his third gold medal in a grueling but thrilling summer of basketball.
Yet the specter of retirement looms larger than ever. James has dropped hints in recent years about stepping away from the game, underscoring the reality that his departure will leave an enormous void in the NBA landscape.
At 36 and a few years younger than James, even Stephen Curry has begun confronting his basketball mortality. In a recent interview with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, Curry admitted he’s been thinking about retirement “more than I probably have before.”
As these two game giants navigate the twilight of their careers, their enduring excellence continues to captivate fans—reminding us of the golden era of older NBA talent, while underscoring the inevitable passage of time.
In a conversation with Malika Andrews, Stephen Curry spoke candidly about the inevitability of retirement, saying, “It’s OK to accept and acknowledge that the end is near, but only because it allows you to enjoy what’s happening right now. But I think the more you talk about it and acknowledge it, the more it levels up the sense of urgency in the moment.”
This sentiment strikes a chord with LeBron James. Despite being in the twilight of their careers, both players continue to perform at an elite level—likely ranking among the NBA’s top 15-20 players, as demonstrated by their electrifying Christmas Day showdown. However, the relentless ticking of the clock is undeniable.
If James decides to return for another season, many believe it will be his last. A 23rd season would see him surpass Vince Carter’s record for the most seasons in NBA history. For fans, the challenge is bittersweet: cherishing the remaining moments of their favorite stars while bracing for their inevitable goodbyes. FTheinternal battle is even more difficult— for the players themselvesa timeless question of when to hold on and wet go.
JJ Redick, a former sharpshooter and now LeBron’s coach, has firsthand experience with this struggle. Basketball was central to his identity, and stepping away was a monumental decision. He recalls an emotional New Year’s Eve during his final season in Dallas, overwhelmed by the distance from his family. “I called my parents, emotional, saying, ‘I just want to get in my car and drive back to New York,’ and my mom said, ‘Why don’t you?’ My answer was, ‘Because I can’t let go.’”
Another defining moment came when his family visited Dallas that season. Redick’s coach, Rick Carlisle, suggested he skip a game to spend time with them. “I hung up the phone and started crying,” Redick admitted. “I realized, ‘I’m done. If it’s at this point, I’m done.’”
LeBron, however, has always been clear about his intentions: he doesn’t want to play past his prime. The future Hall of Famer has reiterated his commitment to not “cheating the game” he loves. While James is still better than most players in the league and capable of dominating on any given night, the subtle signs of decline are becoming apparent.
For someone whose entire life has been defined by basketball, deciding when to step away is a monumental challenge. James finds himself in a delicate balance—still a beacon of excellence, still celebrated, but gradually coming to terms with the end. The faint writing on the wall is a quiet but persistent reminder of the next chapter in a storied career.
I recently asked LeBron James if, amidst all the retirement chatter, he’s taken a moment to appreciate how remarkable it is to perform at such a high level at his age. “I haven’t,” he admitted. “It’s just pretty cool that, with the miles I’ve put on the tires and the lack of tread that’s left, I’m still able to get up and down the highway and do it at a high level.”
James reflected on the dedication required to maintain his performance, echoing his commitment to walk away before experiencing a significant decline: “I think I just try to give everything to the game outside of the game before the game even starts,if that makes sense. I arrive five hours before the game, already doing aleverythingo put me in position to be the best I can be when the fans are in here, when the ball is tipped, and everyone is going crazy.
“I’ve been blessed by the man above with some out-of-this-world ability, and I took full advantage of it. I wasn’t going to disrespect what he’s given me. We’ll see how long I can do it. But I won’t do it till the wheels fall off, I’ll tell you that. I’m not going to be one of those guys.”
And he’s far from “one of those guys.” At 40, James is redefining what longevity in the NBA looks like. This season, he’s still delivering All-Star numbers—averaging 23.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 9.0 assists. Few, if any, players in league history have sustained this level of excellence at his age.
While James has no intention of playing “until the wheels fall off,” the ride he’s giving NBA fans is nothing short of extraordinary. As he drives into the twilight of his career, he’s making every moment count, offering a final, unforgettable journey.
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