For athletes, turning 30 usually signifies a step toward the tail end of a career, and not even LeBron James can stop that.
Bleacher Report’s Ethan Skolnick caught up with James before he celebrated his 30th birthday Tuesday, and they discussed the next phase of the Cleveland Cavaliers star’s career, including its culmination. James said he knows the end is inevitable, but he’s just going to take things one step at a time.
“We all know that Father Time is undefeated,” James said. “I don’t care who you are; I don’t care how much stretching, yoga, treatment, tables — Father Time is undefeated. So, for me, I’ve just got to continue to listen to my body, train my body, like I’ve been doing over the years.”
James has solidified himself as arguably the best player in the NBA over the past 12 seasons, and despite the fact that he might not have a dozen years left in him, he doesn’t want that to change until he retires.
“As long as I’m out there on the floor, I’m trying to be the greatest ever,” James said. “And along that line, being the best man I can be, being the best father, all along that same thing, all on that same path. I’ve got a chance to be part of some great things while I’m part of this NBA thing. And I want to maximize everything, both on and off.”
But just because James is thinking about the end of his career doesn’t mean he’s prepared for it.
“Nothing, nothing will ever be able to replace (basketball),” James said. “Nothing. Nothing. The camaraderie with your teammates. The competition versus the opposition. The thrill of being able to play in front of 20,000 people every night. Your butterflies. Everything that goes with this. Nothing will be able to replace it.
“And I understand that. How do you set yourself up for it after? I don’t know. That’s something that you need to figure out. And I’ve been able to set myself up now, at almost 30, to where I can have different options.”
Thumbnail photo via David Richard/USA TODAY Sports Images
