It’s not a question that LeBron James is in the twilight of his career. After 22 seasons, the Los Angeles Lakers‘ superstar expects to play just a few more seasons in the NBA, at most.
However, despite being 40 years old, James has put up numbers that would be impressive for a player in their late 20s. About to enter his 23rd season, James’ longevity is something that hasn’t been seen in the history of the league. Whenever he does choose to retire, James will end his career with one of the best final seasons ever, barring something drastic happening.
If that is the case, if he does continue to put up All-Star level statistics, James could join Lakers’ legend Wilt Chamberlain on a particular list of ‘The 12 best final NBA seasons‘ written on HoopsHype.
Last season, James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists on 51.3% shooting in 70 regular-season games. He is not under contract after next year, meaning he could resign with the Lakers, join a new team, or end his career as one of the best players of all-time.
Wilt Chamberlain Ended On A High
In the article written on HoopsHype ranking the 12 players that had the best ends to their NBA careers, Chamberlain ranked fourth all-time, behind only Bob Pettit at third, and Ralph Bedard and Alex Grosa tied for first. Chamberlain was the highest player on the list (and only one in the top six) who played into the 1970s.
In his final 1972-73 season with the Lakers, Chamberlain averaged 13.2 points, 18.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists, and earned All-Star and All-NBA Defensive first team honors. It was his 11th straight year leading the NBA in rebounding and ninth straight year leading the league in shooting percentage.
Los Angeles went on to lose in the Finals to the New York Knicks. Other notable players on the team were Jerry West, Gail Goodrich, and Pat Riley.
While Chamberlain’s final season didn’t meet the marks of his other previously unseen performances, they certainly weren’t bad for a 37-year-old.
Some of the other numbers for Chamberlain don’t feel real. 100 points in a game, 50 points per game over a season, 48.5 minutes per game over a season, 22.9 rebounds per game for his career. They go on, and on, and on. If a player did it today, they would likely be considered the ‘GOAT.’
But Chamberlain did it in the 1960s and 70s, making his legacy a bit harder to put into the context of today. Critics also didn’t necessarily consider him a ‘winner’, with his biggest rival, Bill Russell, winning 11 total championships compared to his two.
Not much of a relation to James and how he might end his career, but the statistics are always staggering, and always fun to explore.
LeBron James Could Also End On Top
In a similar form to Michael Jordan, James winning a championship in his final season would put him both atop the HoopsHype list and cement himself with one of the best careers of all-time.
It would almost certainly be Luka Doncic leading the way in Los Angeles, but as seen in recent years, James would likely still be putting up strong numbers on a nightly basis, whenever his final season does come.
He isn’t under contract after next year, and rumors have swirled on if he’ll even end his career with the Lakers. James’ agent, Rich Paul, gave Shams Charania an ominous interview that many interpreted as a signal that James might leave the Lakers after this season.
“He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all,” Paul said to Charania after James picked up his player option. “We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career.
Wherever he plays, the signs of James slowing down have come at a much lower rate than anyone expected. James put up 24, 7, and 8 on 50% shooting at age 40, something no player has matched in the modern era, and he has posted similar numbers over the past few years. It isn’t insane to think James will keep up at that pace, or maybe something closer to 20, 6, and 6, but even that is incredible.
Ending on a championship would all but promise James atop the list of best final NBA seasons, though even at his age, nobody knows when that final season will come.
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