When it comes to sports, one of the most well-known proverbs is that “Father Time is unbeatable.” However, every once in a while, a transcendental player will cause spectators to question the validity of this renowned proverb. In the National Football League, Tom Brady is a great example, while in the National Basketball Association, LeBron James is the embodiment of the concept. James has been on something of a historic streak as of late, having returned from a period of time during which he did not play in order to put up a string of performances that have caused his name to be considered in the conversation regarding the Most Valuable Player award. 

While it is difficult to comprehend how long LeBron James has been playing, it is possible to put his longevity into perspective by comparing his performance to what it was during his rookie season and the 2011–12 season, which was the year he won his first championship. The hype that LeBron James would be one of the best players of all time began at a very young age, and he lived up to that billing from the moment he entered the National Basketball Association (NBA). LeBron James came into the league after dominating at the high school level.

During his very first season as a 19-year-old, LeBron James averaged 20 points per game, coupled with 5.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game. He also had a perfect game. These stats are absolutely absurd for a player who is just starting out and is competing against adults for the very first time. Following the conclusion of that season, LeBron James would go on to have a career in which he would average at least 25 points or more for each and every season. 

James went on to win a couple Most Valuable Player awards over the course of the subsequent years and even led his Cleveland Cavaliers club to the NBA Finals, where they faced defeat and ultimately made the decision to establish a Big Three in Miami. James led the league in scoring with an average of 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists during the 2011–12 season, which was also the year he won his first championship. His first championship ring was won by him, and he was without a doubt the best player in basketball. 

With regard to the current season, James has once again put up monster numbers, despite the fact that the Lakers have gone through a difficult time. In addition to scoring 28.7 points, he is also averaging 7.4 rebounds and 7.4 assists, which are considerably higher numbers than he achieved in either of the two seasons that were noted earlier. 

Due to the fact that James has been able to maintain this level of performance over the course of twenty years, it is clear that his longevity and conditioning are truly remarkable. If LeBron James is able to carry his recent success into another championship, it will be even more difficult to argue against his claim that he is the best player in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA).