LeBron James' 19th season in the NBA didn't exactly go as planned. The Los Angeles Lakers missed the playoffs for the second time since he signed with the purple and gold in 2018, beset by multiple injuries to key contributors and a misfit roster that was doomed from the time it was put together.

Say all you want about James' primary role in the Lakers' disastrous trade for Russell Westbrook last summer. Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka have final decision-making power for the Lakers, but James and Anthony Davis made an aggressive push for the 2017 MVP to find his way back home to Southern California.

What no one can take away from James despite his team's struggles, though, is his historic season-long performance for a player of his age and experience. He averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.3 blocks per game on 52.4% shooting this season, stellar numbers for any player. Even if you don't believe James is the greatest of all time, there's no disputing his 2021-22 season established him as the best 37-year-old ever.

Just call it yet another example of James living up to and exceeding expectations, a feat he's accomplished on the national stage for more than 20 years. Case in point: His response to an unearthed video from his time at St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School in Akron.

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The weight of the world is still on James' shoulders.

The difference between now and the early 2000s? James has already surpassed the ridiculous hype that made him the most vaunted prep prospect ever, winning four MVPs and as many Larry O'Brien Trophies, including one in Los Angeles.

It'll take some major offseason moves for James to add to those accomplishments with the Lakers. As long as he's playing, though, James has proven time and again it would be foolish to count he and his team out for good.