NBA fans have gotten used to LeBron James being at the pinnacle of the basketball world, but eventually, we'll all witness his fall from grace. He's the best basketball player in the world. There's no disputing that. Regardless of where your loyalty lies, you can't deny that his combination of athleticism, passing, scoring and basketball IQ is unrivaled.
He entered the NBA as a highly touted 18-year-old, and was considered a generational talent. Has hasn't met the ridiculous expectations set for him. He's surpassed them. The 33-year-old James signed a four-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer.
This decision was a great business move, but it'll also help him prolong his career by surrounding himself with youth. There's no concrete way to determine how long he'll be on top of the world. However, there are a few factors that can help us make a prediction.
Prime 1: The Beginning
Let's be honest, LeBron James has had nearly three different primes in his 15-year career. He had an amazing 2002-03 season, earning Rookie of the Year honors. However, his first prime probably began during his second year in the NBA. This might sound crazy, but he had ridiculous levels of production from this year forward.
In his sophomore season, LeBron averaged 27.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists. He logged over 40 minutes a game from year two through year five. James was named the MVP of the league in 2009, after his sixth season. He was an explosive, above the rim scorer that didn't even need a consistent jump shot to be successful.
His first stretch in Cleveland was the only time in his career where he averaged over 30 points in the regular season. In 2010, James was named MVP for the second consecutive season. However, this marked the end of his seven year streak as a Cavalier. It was time for the next chapter in his journey.
Prime 2: The Departure
James' second prime began after his highly publicized decision to join the Miami Heat. He was always the one his team had to score during critical moments in the game. Therefore, he was almost always on the court. A big part of his transition to Miami was the introduction of strategic rest.
Teaming up with two All-Stars like Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh allowed him to accept a slight dip in his minutes throughout the regular season. This way, he had fresh legs for the playoffs. This strategy followed him when he returned to Cleveland. James won back to back MVP Awards during his second and third seasons in Miami. He also won two championships in four years.
He was never a great three-point shooter, but he learned to be selective. His number of midrange shots and makes decreased, but he scored more in the restricted area. The 40.6 percent mark from deep he reached in in 2013 is a career high to this day. James had been a cerebral player, but his analysis of his game and those around him ascended to another level.
Prime 3: The Return
The prodigal son returned to Cleveland after his Heat lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the 2014 NBA Finals. LeBron was closing in on 30 and wanted to bring a trophy to his home state of Ohio. People speculated that James would begin to slow down in the years to come.
The Cavs didn't make the playoffs the previous year, but they did have a promising young guard in Kyrie Irving. That was more than what James had to work with last time around. However, the trade to acquire Kevin Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves changed everything. The Cavs tripled their All-Star count in less than a year. James went on to lead the Cavs to their first ever NBA championship in 2016. Their historic recovery from a 3-1 deficit to the Golden State Warriors will go down in history.
James has lost to the Warriors in the NBA in three of his last four seasons. Even after the departure of Kyrie Irving, he continued to flourish in Cleveland. The 8.6 rebounds he averaged last season tied a career high. Meanwhile, the 9.1 assists he dished out surpassed his previous high of 8.7. Many felt James should've received more consideration for MVP, but voters seem to have grown tired of the king's reign.
The Final Chapter: The King's Last Prime
LeBron James will most likely finish out his career as a Laker. He has endless business opportunities, the ability to become a creative producer and an environment he feels will be good to his family. It looks like he's already preparing for life after basketball.
But you shouldn't think James doesn't still want to win. He's joined the likes of developing players like Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram. His ability to attract veterans like Rajon Rondo, JaVale McGee, Michael Beasley and Lance Stephenson gave the team vital experience. The Western Conference is tough, but it's unlikely James would've joined up if he didn't believe he could lead the team effectively. After all, he did the same thing in Cleveland.
Before it's all said and done, LeBron wants to be considered the best player to ever lace up a pair of kicks. Michael Jordan managed average 20 points until age 40, so LeBron could probably do the same.
When James' contract is up, he'll be a 37-year-old. year twenty will be right around the corner. Even if he loses some athleticism, his size and knowledge of the game will allow him to play at an elite level. Realistically, James' prime will probably end in the next three to four years.
Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo are just a few of the players looking to dethrone him. Everyone's prime ends at some point, but James will still be an All-Star when his comes to a close. His love for the game and dedication to his craft earned him the Best NBA Player Award at the ESPY's in seven of the past 12 years. Even in his decline, he'll help guide the next generation of NBA superstars.
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