LeBron James has been playing basketball at a very high level for quite some time now. When the 2024-25 campaign tips off, he'll be entering his 21st season in the NBA, and he will turn 40 in December as he continues to defy Father Time.
Another way to highlight King James' longevity is through the Olympics, and that was something former All-Star Michael Redd decided to do. During Team USA 's run for gold, he took a second to reflect on just how crazy LeBron's career has been
Redd shouts out LeBron
The 6'6" guard great took a different path than James during his NBA career. After getting scooped up in the second round of the 2000 NBA Draft, he turned himself into an explosive scorer, averaging 20-plus points in six straight seasons for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Unfortunately, Michael wasn't able to stay in the league as long as Bron, retiring in 2012. With that in mind, "Redd Hot" shared just how incredible it was for LeBron to be playing in his fourth Olympic Games 20 years after he participated in the 2004 Olympics.
"It's hard to comprehend LeBron's longevity," Redd wrote on LinkedIn. "LeBron James played in the Olympics in 2004, in 2008, in 2012, and he is playing now, in 2024. Yeah, it's impressive that he's played in four of these things. What's even more impressive to me, though, is that the bookends are 20 years apart. LeBron hasn't witnessed the shift in generations — in basketball and in business — he has lived it."
"What LeBron has accomplished, as far as sheer longevity, far as years of dominance, though, has not been matched in basketball…and never will," Redd added.
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King James is not slowing down
Every year, the four-time champ seems to find a way to add to his legacy, which is pretty impressive considering how he's accomplished just about everything you can accomplish in the game of basketball. The Olympics were just a testament to that statement.
LeBron earned his fourth Olympic medal (three gold, one bronze) at the 2024 Games in Paris, adding to his extensive legacy in the international game. James was one of Team USA's best players, and he was crucial to them winning gold once again.
To do so 20 years after he won bronze at the 2004 Olympics in Athens is simply crazy, and Michael rightfully notes that. Bron's ability to play at a consistently high level for over two decades now is simply unprecedented, and it's why he's firmly in the GOAT discussion.
Whether or not he's passed Michael Jordan in that conversation remains to be seen. Still, it's clear that Redd and millions of other fans are in awe of his achievements. And he's not done yet, as he will look to continue to add to his legacy in the upcoming season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Related: “They cheated for the 76ers” - Michael Redd believes Bucks would match up better with the Lakers in the 2001 NBA Finals
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