At 33 years old, most players are way past their prime or about to exit that stage in their athletic career. But Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James — tagged as the greatest player of his generation — is not like any other player. At 33, James doesn't believe he is already counting down his prime years.

Talking with ESPN's Rachel Nichols in his first interview as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, James said that age is just a statistic. He seems fully aware of the critics casting some doubts on him as he enters his 16th year in the league. James says that he has made a career of beating the odds:

“I don't even look at it like that, 'cause I don't feel like this is one of the last years of my prime. I think that's another statistic number, and I've always been a part of beating the odds in life. Being around my kids allow — it gives me even more and more time in my youth.”

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In addition, James noted that the Lakers are not testing the waters in the upcoming season. Rather, it is a year to showcase what the new and improved roster can do:

“I don't feel like this is even a rebuilding year for us. We have an opportunity to do something that a lot of people don't think we can do. And we love the notion of, ‘it's another rebuilding year and we don't have enough.' So that will motivate the guys that we have anyway.”