OPINION-LeBron James is 40 years old and in his 22nd NBA season, but nothing about his game suggests he’s slowing down. The Lakers, at 34-20, are pushing toward a 50-win season, and LeBron remains at the center of it all. His production, efficiency, and ability to control games are as strong as ever.
Seasons like this aren’t supposed to happen. Players don’t maintain this level of dominance two decades into their careers. But LeBron has redefined what longevity looks like, adapting his game while still impacting winning at the highest level.
Since turning 40 in December, LeBron has continued to elevate his game, and February has been one of his best stretches of the season. In 10 games this month, he’s averaging 29.0 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 7.4 assists, shooting an incredible 56% from the field, 46% from three, and 75% from the free-throw line. His 66.2% true shooting marks one of the most efficient stretches of his career.
His ability to maintain this level of efficiency while carrying a major offensive load speaks to his deep understanding of the game and the adjustments he has made over the years. LeBron has continued to expand his offensive skill set as he’s aged. His evolution is a study in precision and adaptability. The fadeaway he’s mastered in recent seasons carries echoes of Jordan. His midrange game remains lethal, and his deep-range shooting—43.5% from three in February—pushes the limits of defensive schemes.
LeBron has also refined his off-ball movement, preparing for a scenario where he might play alongside another primary ball handler. He’s embraced the nuances of playing without the ball—cutting with purpose, screening with intent, and finding open space with patience.
This reinvention wasn’t something he did overnight. He had been working on these skills for years before the Lakers even acquired Luka Dončić. His foresight and commitment to evolving his game show the level of preparation that separates him from his peers. As he told ESPN, “I’ve worked on my outside shot and my catch-and-shoot game for quite a while now to be able to sync up with someone like Luka.”
Beyond just adapting, LeBron has quietly become one of the most dangerous catch-and-shoot players in the NBA. Over the last two seasons, he ranks top three in the league in catch-and-shoot three-point efficiency.
With Luka Dončić now in the mix, LeBron’s role has naturally shifted. He’s taking fewer shots, moving off the ball more, and letting Luka orchestrate the offense. However, instead of losing effectiveness, his efficiency has skyrocketed. His ability to seamlessly fit into any system is a testament to his preparation and work ethic.
Their partnership is still in the early stages, but the chemistry is developing quickly. Luka has already credited LeBron for making his job easier, and the Lakers’ offense has looked more dynamic with both of them on the floor. Over the last 15 games, the Lakers have been one of the best offensive teams in the league and, even more impressively, the best defensive team. As of February 23rd, the Lakers were top 10 in both defensive and offensive rating.
LeBron’s impact hasn’t been felt only on the offensive end. At 40 he is having one of the best defensive seasons this year and he has been locked in. Over the Lakers’ recent stretch, their defense has been among the league’s best, and LeBron’s ability to rotate, switch, and make key stops has been crucial. James is not coasting on reputation, he’s making tangible plays that swing games. This was evident in the Lakers game against the Nuggets. At 40 years old, Lebron held Prime Joker to zero points and zero assists while also clamping down prime Jamal Murray and Michael Porter jr. There does not exist another player in NBA history that could allow a coach to have such versatility on defense to guard the best player in the game ( Joker) then switch off on a fast small guard, and then on a small forward. Lebron did that to guys in their prime at 40 in year 22.
Following the Lakers’ win over the Mavericks, JJ Redick made a bold statement regarding Lebron’s defensive impact:
“This is not an exaggeration: If you watch our basketball team every night… for the last six weeks or so, LeBron James is playing at an All-NBA defense level. People may have perceptions of what he is as a defender. I watch it every night.”
There’s a real case for LeBron to make an All-Defensive Team, something almost unheard of for a player at 40.
At 34-20, the Lakers have positioned themselves for a strong finish. A 50-win season is well within reach, and the LeBron-Luka duo, combined with a steadily improving supporting cast, makes them a serious threat heading into the playoffs.
LeBron’s February performance has him in the conversation for Player of the Month, and his season-long consistency builds his case for another All-NBA selection. Before this year, the NBA had never seen a 40-year-old player seriously competing for:
-All-NBA First Team
-All-Defensive Team
-Top-five MVP consideration
Twenty-two seasons in, LeBron James is still one of the best players in the NBA. The numbers, the performances, and his ability to dictate games all point to the same conclusion: Father Time hasn’t caught up yet—and if anyone is going to go undefeated in that matchup, it might be LeBron James.
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