LeBron James began joking about his longevity as he warmed up before a recent game against San Antonio. 

“I’m gonna play until I’m 40,” he stated as he took a shot. “Then, after 40, I’m going to go completely left-handed until I’m 45.” With my left hand, I’m going to score 5,000 points. Then I’ll be finished.”

James was beaming. His words were bizarre. But it’s not difficult to believe that if he wanted to, he could. 

As he celebrates his 39th birthday on Saturday, in the midst of his 21st NBA season, James is doing things that are utterly unusual for someone at this stage of his career. 

He’s averaging 25.4 points per game on 53.9 percent shooting from the field and 41.3 percent from beyond the arc, as well as 7.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists a game. In their 21st season, no player has ever averaged more than 7.4 points. Not to mention that he already holds the record for the most points averaged by a player in their 18th, 19th, and 20th seasons.

This season, he is the league’s oldest player – and the first to maintain that position while also ranking in the top ten for preseason MVP odds.  

While fans and commentators debate who is the best player of all time, two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo believes there is no contest. 

“I say [LeBron] is No. 1,” stated the Milwaukee Bucks player earlier this season. “And he keeps going. He hasn’t slowed down at all. 

“…He lays out the road map for all NBA players to follow.” For 21 years, I’ve been healthy, good, and consistent. He’s been to the NBA Finals ten times…He’s fantastic. That’s the template I’m going to strive to emulate and follow. I want to be 39 years old and still be able to play while the next man talks about me.”