Granderson: LeBron James is the aging icon we all needed

It was never really about LeBron James’ age, not when he was being called “the youngest” and not when he’s being called “the oldest.” (Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)

I remember the day I stopped playing basketball.

It wasn’t easy.

It also wasn’t my decision. The 20-something-year-old who was giving me that work made the decision for me.

When my 50-year-old self finally scored a basket on him, one of my teammates yelled, “get him old school.” At first, I had no idea who he was talking to. I had been playing basketball for 40 years, and no one had ever referred to me as “old school.” Then that kid scored on me again. And then again.

So anyway, that was my last game. I don’t even belong to that gym anymore. I didn’t want to constantly see the site of my demise.

Read more: Granderson: Age is just a number for Mick Jagger — and even for politicians like Mitch McConnell

I’m sure there are plenty of gym rats out there who know the feeling. Maybe you get to shoot a couple of hoops with your kids, but that’s about it. Which brings me to this: Right now NBA teams are debating whether to draft an 18-year-old with the hope of getting his 39-year-old father to join him.

And not for nostalgia.

Forget the “LeBron James versus Michael Jordan” debate. James’ battle with Father Time is far more compelling and relatable. This week James was named to his 20th All-NBA team. That means James has been considered among the 15 best players in the world for Bronny James’ entire life. He also holds the record for being both the youngest and the oldest player to make that list.

Read more: Granderson: Enough with sending NBA stars like LeBron James to the Olympics

In many ways it’s a disservice to reduce James’ career to a debate about whether he’s the GOAT. Sure, there are numbers to support the Jordan case or the James argument. Either player could be the greatest to ever pick up a basketball.

But the number that I’m looking at is overlooked: six. That’s the minimum number of presidential terms that will cycle through the White House while James is a top player in the world’s best basketball league. This…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/granderson-lebron-james-aging-icon-100047453.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-05-28 10:00:47

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