Last night, LeBron James missed his first game of the season, as he was forced out of the Lakers lineup due to a thoracic muscle strain.
The abdomen injury leaves James, 35, questionable for the Lakers’ Christmas Day matchup with the Clippers in Los Angeles.
Given how the season has gone for James thus far, it seems likely that he’ll suit up — and play well.
Now in the post-prime of his career, James has the highest player-efficiency rating for a player during his age-35 season in NBA history.
James, who also had NBA-best PER ranks at age 24 and age 28, is excelling in his 17th season in the league despite playing more minutes than any other player history has by age 35.
About to turn 36 a week from today, James is one of a growing number of athletes — like Tom Brady, Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Tiger Woods — who are excelling late in their careers.
“Like so many of the world’s greatest athletes who have maintained their greatness for what seems like forever, he’s also old for his age,” The Wall Street Journal writes of James. “He’s logged by far the most minutes of any NBA player by his 35th birthday, and his longevity is proving to be as exceptional as his performance. His pre-prime was defined by sheer promise. He was operating at the peak of his powers in his prime. While he’s no longer the same physically, the crazy thing about his post-prime is that he’s still flying around his stage and playing the hits. LeBron James is the Mick Jagger of the NBA.”
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