Classy but a notch below his best

LeBron James turned 33 recently, and you do not need advanced statistics to tell you that he is still playing amazingly.

Coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors went a bit further this week, asking how many players are better in Year 15 than in Year 10? “Go down the list,” he said. “Michael, Bird, Magic, Wilt, Kareem, Bill Russell. A lot of them didnt even get to 15 years. Were any of them better in Year 15 than in Year 10? I cant imagine.”

Athletes in most sports peak in their late 20s. But could Kerrs contention be true? Could James actually be playing better at 33 than at 28?

Certainly James 15th year ranks at the very top among players so deep into their careers. James average of 27.8 points per game is the highest of any player in his 15th year, surpassing Karl Malones 1999-2000 season and Kobe Bryant in 2010-11.

It helps that James, like Bryant, started early, entering the league directly from high school. It is better to be 33 during your 15th season than 35 or 37.

But even comparing him to those his own age, he comes out well. Of players at age 33, James 27.8 points …read more