LeBron James, now 40 years old, continues to defy expectations in his 22nd NBA season, tying Vince Carter for the most seasons played in league history. While many had anticipated his retirement by now, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar has shown no signs of slowing down, putting up impressive performances on the court. LeBron recently opened up about what drives him to keep playing at such a high level.
LeBron’s passion for the game is a key factor in his ongoing career. Despite speculation about his future and concerns regarding his declining play, the four-time NBA champion continues to prove his critics wrong.
“My motivation is just, I don’t even know at this point. I just love the game,” LeBron shared after a big win over the Atlanta Hawks, per LakersNation. He reflected on his experiences over the summer, which included representing Team USA in France and winning gold. “I got an opportunity this summer to be in France and to represent Team USA, and that was an amazing opportunity for me and my family being in Paris and bringing home gold. And then just coming back here, I just love the game,” he added.
But LeBron’s drive extends beyond basketball alone. The future of his son, Bronny James, has also become a powerful source of inspiration.
Bronny James and the Family Legacy
LeBron’s desire to set an example for his son, who is on his way to joining the basketball world, has given him an additional reason to continue playing. LeBron emphasized the importance of showing Bronny the dedication it takes to be great.
“Obviously my son over there has given me some more inspiration, some more reason to go out there and kind of just show him what it takes to be a professional, what it takes day in and day out to try to master and be great,” he said. “I still have a little bit left in the tank. So I guess I’ll go until it’s kind of empty, I guess.”
Handling Criticism and Staying Focused on the Goal
As one of the oldest active players in the NBA, LeBron has learned to block out outside criticism and remain focused on his journey. Despite the years of scrutiny, he continues to stay true to his personal goals and work ethic.
“I guess it’s just growth from my age and understanding what matters and what doesn’t matter,” LeBron explained. “Outside noise has never deterred me from my goal and my personal journey, my personal legend. So you just know that the only way you can get to where you want to get to is work.”
LeBron further stated, “There’s gonna be conversations about what I should do, how I should do it, how many years I’ve played, why I got this and why I got that. But nobody can ever say that I cheated the game and I didn’t work for everything I got. I put the work in and nothing else matters after that.”
LeBron Makes History by Surpassing Michael Jordan’s Record
LeBron James recently added another milestone to his illustrious career, surpassing Michael Jordan’s long-standing record of 30-point games. In the Lakers' win over the Hawks, James scored 30 points for the 563rd time in his career, a feat that had stood since Jordan achieved it in 2003.
For LeBron, breaking this record was a special moment, particularly given his admiration for Jordan.
“It’s very humbling,” LeBron said of the achievement. “Anytime I’m mentioned with any of the greats, and arguably the greatest ever to play the game, it’s super-cool. It’s someone I idolized in my childhood, and I wear 23 because of him. So to know that I can sit here and be in the room or in the conversation or whatever it is, you mention MJ, it’s like super-duper dope for me, being a kid where I’m from.”
LeBron’s reflections on his career and his continued success are a testament to his enduring passion, work ethic, and legacy in the game of basketball.