With LeBron James turning 41, Lakers reflect on his longevity

"It is remarkable I have trouble getting out of bed in the morning and got to get an injection on my knee, Redick said after Monday afternoon's practice. My body is old and broken. It's like that [maxim]: If you don't use it, you lose it. Redick, who played in the NBA for 15 seasons, retired after the 2020-21 season, spending the first three years of his post-playing career as a broadcaster/podcaster before becoming the Lakers' head coach in June 2024. And once I stopped using it, I lost it all, Redick said. I can still barely touch the rim though, which is nice."

"James, on the other hand, was pulling off reverse dunks and leading the Lakers to a much-needed victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday night, two days before his 41st birthday. The four-time league MVP is averaging 20.5 points (50.7% shooting), 6.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds going into Tuesday's home game against the Detroit Pistons. I don't remember, was it the LeBron 20 or 21, when I did the Father Time commercial thing? I'm in a battle with him, James said. And I would like to say that I'm kicking his ass on the back nine."

"[James] and my dad the same age, and my dad played hasn't played in like 10 years, the younger Smith said. So the stuff he [does] is incredible. He's not normal. He's not normal."

JJ Redick, who turned 41 in June and became the Lakers' head coach after a 15-season NBA career and a brief broadcasting stint, reports notable age-related aches, knee injections and reduced athleticism. Redick says his body is "old and broken" and that stopping intense use led to lost ability, though he can still barely touch the rim. LeBron James, two days shy of his 41st birthday, executed reverse dunks and averaged 20.5 points, 6.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds while leading the Lakers. James frames his longevity as a battle with Father Time and jokes about outplaying it. Two-way guard Nick Smith Jr. compares James to his 41-year-old father and calls James' abilities "incredible" and "not normal."

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