LeBron James is in his 21st season in the league. Already at 39 years old, the all-time scoring leader is staring toward the end of his career. He did claim that he does not know when that end will be. He did not want to give his retirement a definite timeline. But according to Lou Williams, Kobe Bryant‘s last season is a definitive example of what could lead to LeBron James’ retirement.
Lou Williams was speaking on the show Run In Back, hosted by FanDuel TV. The topic of LeBron James not being sure of when he will retire was being discussed. Williams chimed in:
Kobe Bryant was set on competing at a high level, then his body started breaking down… We went from a team developing young talent to a farewell tour.
Williams alluded that Bryant started his final season with the intention of playing at the highest level he knew. But ten games in Bryant’s body started breaking down. Once the Los Angeles Lakers got the idea that Bryant could not play beyond that season, they switched their goals.
Lou Williams played alongside Bryant and young up-and-coming players, Julius Randle and D’Angelo Russell. Williams said the goal at the start of the season was for Bryant, Williams, and their veterans to play their best. They were to develop Russell and Randle along the way. But once Bryant could not engage at that level, they switched to playing out a farewell season.
Williams thinks LeBron James’ situation could go the Kobe Bryant route. Currently, James is in the best of health, playing elite basketball. But once James’ body starts breaking down, Williams thinks that will signal the end of his career.
What LeBron James can learn from Kobe Bryant’s retirement
LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have a few similarities. They both were drafted straight out of high school and played 20 seasons in the NBA. Both are former league MVPs and have at least 4 championships to their name. Therefore, their bodies could meet a similar outcome. But there is one crucial difference.
Unlike Kobe Bryant, LeBron James has not had any multiple major or minor injuries in his career. James is well known for his dedication to taking care of his body. Something no other player in the last two decades has been able to do. His fitness at this age is one of the reasons he is averaging such numbers in year 21.
Lou Williams thinks that these are the reasons LeBron James’ body will dictate his retirement. There is nothing else that can stop James, just like it did for Kobe Bryant.
