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At the age of 38, most players have retired, or accepted the role of reserve players to retire when they no longer have enough strength to compete at the top level. However, this proposition is not true for LeBron James.

In the first 14 games of the 2023/24 NBA season, LeBron James is averaging 26.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 58.6% shooting, and 39.7% 3-point shooting. Those are all statistics that are among the best in the NBA. When LeBron James is on the court, the Los Angeles Lakers outscore their opponents by an average of 28.4 points per 100 possessions.

So why can LeBron James still maintain such top form when he will turn 39 at the end of December this year? In the article below, The Sporting News will provide you with the answer.

Why is LeBron James still playing so well even though he is over 38 years old?

LeBron James significantly improves his 3-point shooting ability

When LeBron James first entered the NBA, he was highly regarded for his physicality, speed, and natural agility. He was an extremely powerful scorer, but not the type of player who could shoot well from the 3-point line.

However, LeBron James is gradually improving his ability to convert 3-point shots into points. In his rookie season, LeBron James had a 29% rate at the 3-point line. In the 2023/24 season, he has a 39.7% rate, the second best in his 20 years of professional play in the NBA.

Not only that, LeBron James has also significantly improved his ability to score in the area near the basket. According to NBA statistics, the Lakers superstar has an efficiency of up to 68% in 2-point shots. In particular, if LeBron James approaches the area near the basket, this rate is even up to 81.7%, 5% better than his best season when he won the MVP title in 2013.

Those are extremely impressive statistics for a 38-year-old player.

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LeBron James’ ability to “read” opponents

Not only does LeBron James possess superb playing skills, his tactical vision and understanding of his opponents are also strengths that no one can match.

In a recent podcast, Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell said that LeBron James even knows what runs his opponents will make. Norman Powell, who played against LeBron James many times while playing for the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference, admitted that he and his teammates were often “read” by LeBron when it came to tactical runs.

A prime example came last weekend against the Houston Rockets. LeBron James even signaled D’Angelo Russell to mark Dillon Brooks before the latter could make a cut to the basket. LeBron James himself also kept a certain distance to block a Rockets shot from Jabari Smith Jr, when he realized Dillon Brooks was being marked.

LeBron James plays more minutes as a secondary forward

In recent years, the Los Angeles Lakers have often used LeBron James in the main forward position depending on the time of the game. When facing players in this position, LeBron James has the advantage of speed, but will have to spend more energy when the opponent is large enough to withstand collision.

That changed in the 2023/24 season, when the Lakers had a roster with more big, quality players at the power forward positions, allowing LeBron James to return to his preferred secondary forward position, in addition to occasionally taking on the role of playmaker.

Statistics show that LeBron James is playing the most minutes as a small forward since the 2020 season. When combined with Anthony Davis as the main forward and Christian Wood as the center, the Lakers score an average of 41.4 points per 100 possessions.

Against Dillon Brooks, a tough defender, LeBron James proved unstoppable, scoring 37 points while shooting 74 percent from the field.

LeBron James still has to face tall players on a regular basis. However, having more time to play as a secondary forward with satellites supporting him is helping LeBron James explode at the age of 38.

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LeBron James is getting better support than ever

LeBron James has always placed a high priority on his health. It is known that the 38-year-old superstar has spent up to 1.5 million USD per year since his early days in the NBA, through advanced therapies to maintain his body. LeBron James has even followed an extremely strict diet for over 20 years.

Despite his injuries in recent years due to his age, LeBron James has proven to be more durable than most NBA players. This season, he has only missed one game for the Lakers, and has averaged 34.4 minutes per game, ranking 29th in the league.

To do this, LeBron James has also shared some roles with other players. According to NBA statistics, LeBron James’ ball possession rate is at the lowest level of his career. Not only that, 54.3% of LeBron James’ scoring shots this season have come from teammates’ assists, the highest rate in the past 20 years.

These numbers show that LeBron James no longer has to take on the role of playmaker, as well as hunt for space for his teammates. That helps LeBron James distribute his energy better, as well as play explosively more often in the 2023/24 season.