DENVER — Feb. 22, 2025 — Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic said he is “impressed” by LeBron James after watching the 41-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star earn a spot in his 22nd consecutive NBA All-Star Game.
James, now in his 23rd season, began the year recovering from injury yet has still logged heavy minutes leading into the midseason break. While the week off offers a brief chance to rest, league commitments will place him on the floor Sunday night for the annual showcase.
Asked during All-Star media availability about James’ longevity, Jokic pointed to the difficulty most players have staying healthy for even a decade. “I mean, you can see how many players cannot stay healthy and cannot be in the league for such a long time,” the three-time MVP said. “He’s still one of the best players in the league, even at this stage of his career. It’s impressive to see someone doing that for 22 years.”
Jokic noted that some current NBA athletes are nearly half James’ age, calling the sustained production a standard the next generation can only admire. “Maybe we don’t see it right now, but after he stops playing, we’re going to admire it even more,” he added.
James has not announced retirement plans. With Los Angeles pushing for playoff positioning, the forward continues to emphasize daily recovery and preparation for a potential postseason run — and, possibly, a 24th year in the league.
Source: Lakers Nation
