"Ever" is a really long time. I voted yes.

Yes. I think he heads West after this season. He's 34. He owns a home in Los Angeles. His wife wants to live in Los Angeles according to reports. His legacy is cemented. I can definitely see him on the Lakers next year at this time.

 

Can't wait to see you sporting that Lebron jersey!

Don't think so. Well, at least not as the alpha of a team. He may at the very tail end to chase a ring.

 

He's got 2-3 more seasons left in him IMO. He has zero path the Finals through the West in that time period.

 

You realize he was just a half point off his career average and had career highs in rebounds and assists in 2016-17?

No.

 

There's too much competition in the West.

Can't wait to see you sporting that Lebron jersey!

 

Not gonna happen. Ever. The Lakers are dead to me.

Maybe this isn't fair, but I have never seen LeBron as the most competitive of people. You can't fault him for staying in the East, but he has shrewdly played the field to make his path to winning as easy as possible. Part of that easy path is greatness, but equally as important has been the lack of star talent and front office leadership in the Eastern Conference to combat his greatness.

 

But as I said, who can blame him? Say his career was in the west and he had 3-4 less appearances in the Finals. His name would not be as high on lists as it presently is. If LeBron wants to take that next step with his legacy, he could go to another team and win it all. Players have been the driving force on two teams before. But never three.

 

That's my feelings on it too. Which is why I consider him a very smart business man. He puts himself in the best and easiest situation to win. He did that by going to Miami. I know people want to say they loved how he went back home to Cleveland to try to win them a title. However the reality of it is, is that he realized Cleveleand now offered him a better chance of winning that Miami did. He didn't go back just to go back. Miami got old, while Celeveland had a young star in Irving and he knew before he signed that they probably could use that first overall pick to get Love. He didn't go back home because it was home. He went back home for the same reason he went to Miami. It offered him the best chance to win. It just happened to be Cleveland so it made it a great feel all story, instead of it basically being the same reason why he went to Miami.

 

I probably shouldn't have said never. However as a top player I don't think he ever goes West. I do think he will leave Cleveland but it will be for a place like New York. He can basically go anywhere in the East and most likely get another star with him and make the Finals. Then all it takes is one great series to be champs.

No.

 

There's too much competition in the West.

 

He is to smart to go West. Best chance at championships is staying in the east.

He is to smart to go West. Best chance at championships is staying in the east.

 

Easiest path to the Finals is through the East. Once you get there, anything can happen. He's guaranteed to make the Finals every year in the East.

 

Playing in the West, there's no guarantee he makes the Finals.

Easiest path to the Finals is through the East. Once you get there, anything can happen. He's guaranteed to make the Finals every year in the East.

 

Playing in the West, there's no guarantee he makes the Finals.

 

Exactly and his legacy will only get greater then with double digit consecutive final appearances. Also possibly leading a third different team to the finals.

 

New headline LeBron James takes the horrible New York Knicks to the finals. GOAT? Very smart business man. I can see that happening.

Sub-Question: LeBron is 32 years old. How much longer does he have in the NBA?

Sub-Question: LeBron is 32 years old. How much longer does he have in the NBA?

 

Interesting question. Studies show it is not about the age before players regress, more so the mileage on the body. By this time in Kobe's career, for example, the signs were very evident that he was slowing. There is more emphasis on nutrition and protecting your body than ever. He could be just one of those genetic freaks that bucks the trend. With him being such a gifted passer his game should translate for a while.

Sub-Question: LeBron is 32 years old. How much longer does he have in the NBA?

 

Scottie Pippen retired at 43

Kareem retired at 42

The Mailman retired at 41

Steve Nash retired at 41

MJ retired at 40

Kevin Garnett retired at 40

Kobe retired at 40

Tim Duncan retired at 40

Patrick Ewing retired at 40

Shaq retired at 39

Dr. J retired at 37

Sir Charles retired at 37

Magic retired at 37

Wilt Chamberlain retired at 37

The Big O retired at 36

Larry Bird retired at 36

Clyde The Glide retired at 36

Isiah Thomas retired at 33

Scottie Pippen retired at 43

Kareem retired at 42

The Mailman retired at 41

Steve Nash retired at 41

MJ retired at 40

Kevin Garnett retired at 40

Kobe retired at 40

Tim Duncan retired at 40

Patrick Ewing retired at 40

Shaq retired at 39

Dr. J retired at 37

Sir Charles retired at 37

Magic retired at 37

Wilt Chamberlain retired at 37

The Big O retired at 36

Larry Bird retired at 36

Clyde The Glide retired at 36

Isiah Thomas retired at 33

Not sure on the other numbers, but Kobe is only 38 today, so he retired at 37. 19 seasons.

 

LeBron is about ready to start season 15 with probably more miles than anyone at the same point of their playing careers. You don't normally see super high level of play for 15+ years. None listed did it at that high of a level over 15 years... you could argue Kareem.

 

I can't see LeBron hanging on until his late 30s.

Not sure on the other numbers, but Kobe is only 38 today, so he retired at 37. 19 seasons.

 

You are correct. Kobe isn't even 40 yet. He retired at 37. Kobe did play 20 seasons though.

James already has played more minutes than MJ or Pippen, Ewing or Russell and in 3 years he'll likely be in or near the top 5 all time for minutes played in the NBA. In 5 years I'd say he'll be top 3 all time behind only Kareem and the Mailman.