LeBron James has acknowledged that a few months ago he was questioning his ability to keep performing in the NBA “without cheating the game”.
While accepting an award at the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly awards in Los Angeles on Wednesday, James announced his decision to play on at the highest level for a 21st season.
“The day I can’t give everything on the floor is the day I’ll be done,” the Los Angeles Lakers superstar said.
“Lucky for you guys, that day is not today.”
A four-time NBA champion and quadruple league Most Valuable Player, James had indicated retirement was a possibility after the Lakers were swept by the eventual NBA champions the Denver Nuggets in this year’s Western Conference finals.
“Going forward with the game of basketball, I’ve got a lot to think about,” he told reporters that night.
When asked to elaborate, he added, “If I want to continue to play”.
James, who has been the finals MVP four times and is a 19-time All-Star, averaged 28.9 points last season, slightly up from his career average of 27.2 per game.
He averaged 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists in more than 35 minutes.
His 50 per cent field-goal percentage was near the middle of his annual numbers, while his 32.1 per cent on 3-pointers was his fifth-lowest.
James’ 21st season will be the longest active run in the NBA, and tie him with fellow legends of the court Robert Parish, Kevin Willis, Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki.
That group trail only the 22-year career of eight-time All-Star Vince Carter.