LeBron James, 36, calls Tom Brady, 43, 'inspiring,' isn't sure he can match Super Bowl winner's career longevity

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James did not just watch the Super Bowl so he could enjoy wine, a possible cheat meal and laugh at the commercials. He also tuned in to watch Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, who won his seventh Super Bowl title at age 43 in his 21st season in the NFL.

No wonder James called Brady “one of the GOATS.” With James, 36, trying to fulfill that description in the NBA in the middle of his 18th season, has he given any thought on if he wants to match Brady’s career longevity?

“It’s very inspiring for a guy like myself. But two different sports, two different positions,” James said after the Lakers’ 119-112 overtime win against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. “I don’t know how long I’m going to play the game. I don’t know how much more I’ll be able to give to the game. But the way I feel right now, we’ll see what happens. I have no timetable on it. I have no year of 'Do I want to play until 30 this or 40 that?' The game will let me know when it’s time. We’ll figure it out then.”

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James had joked earlier this season he would not be able to play up to age 46 because his wife would not allow it. But James signed a two-year, $85 million extension started that keeps him under contract through the 2022-23 season when he turns 38. With how well James has played this season, it appears possible he could sign another contract before he retires.

After winning his fourth NBA championship on a quarantined campus in October, James began the 2020-21 season two months later without any noticeable signs of slowing down. James has regressed in assists (7.8, down from 10.2 last season), but that partly stems from newly acquired Dennis Schroder assuming more of the team’s ball-handling duties.

Otherwise, James has maintained his scoring average (25.5 points) and shooting percentage (49.7%) while also improving his 3-point shooting (41%). James also has assumed similar minutes this season (34.2) compared with last (34.6), and has yet to sit out a game.

The Lakers have a 19-6 record and trail the Utah Jazz (19-5) by a half game for the Western Conference’s best record.

Even after assuming heavy minutes in recent overtime wins against Detroit (46) and Oklahoma City (43), James maintained he hardly feels beat up. He stressed that he only felt tired during his post-game interview because he had already taken a cold shower.

“I can sleep right now because the game is over. I’m decompressed now. But if we have more time to play, I’m ready to go,” James said. “I can play right now if I need to go. All I need is a warmup. I can go to the weight room and get warmed up right now.”

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