Why LeBron James is the best 40-year-old NBA player

As LeBron James turns 40, it’s safe to say that the NBA’s age curve has been completely shattered by one man. While the average NBA player is well past their prime by the time they hit their 30s, LeBron is not only defying Father Time—he’s dominating it. The remarkable thing about LeBron James’ career is that he has redefined what is possible for an aging athlete. And at 40 years old, he is still at the top of his game, producing at a level that has never been seen in NBA history.

In May 2015, when LeBron was 30 years old, a Twitter user by the name of urkle91 posted a now-infamous tweet that said, “LeBron is 30, this f—ery won’t go on for much longer, thank god.” This statement has become one of the most referenced moments in basketball-related social media history. Over 25,000 retweets later, it still gets brought up every time LeBron surpasses another milestone in his career.

Back in 2015, LeBron was on his way to a fifth consecutive NBA Finals, and yet, someone was already predicting that his dominance was nearing its end. Fast forward to today, and not only has LeBron played in more NBA Finals, won more championships, and broken the NBA’s all-time scoring record, but he’s still playing at a high level. The “f—ery” is still going strong, and it seems it could go on for quite a while longer.

Now, as LeBron James turns 40, the conversation about his career enters a new chapter. For most professional athletes, 40 is when they begin to wind down. The NBA has only seen 23 players reach their age-40 season, and that group is a who’s who of basketball greats, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, and Robert Parish. But what makes LeBron different is that he is not simply entering this age with the hopes of hanging on for a couple more years. He is poised to set new records and establish himself as the greatest 40-year-old in NBA history.

LeBron’s Incredible Scoring Ability at 40

When people think of LeBron, they often think of his scoring prowess. Even at 40 years old, he’s still among the best in the league. In fact, this season, LeBron is averaging 23.5 points per game, a staggering total for someone in their 40s. To put this into perspective, the previous NBA record for points per game by a player in his 40s was held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with 14.6 points during the 1987-88 season. That was an impressive feat in its own right, but LeBron has more than lapped that record.

LeBron isn’t just padding his stats with easy baskets; he is proving his versatility. His two-point field goals per game and free throw shooting are also best-in-class for 40-plus players, outpacing the likes of Karl Malone, who previously held the record for most free throws made per game in his 40s. But what truly sets LeBron apart is his efficiency. He is not just shooting more; he’s shooting better. His true shooting percentage (58.4%) is impressive for a player of any age, let alone a 40-year-old.

It’s easy to think that 3-point shooting is inflating these numbers, but that’s not the case. LeBron is also excelling in the mid-range game and finishing effectively around the basket. For reference, LeBron has scored over 242 points outside of the paint this season. In comparison, Dikembe Mutombo—who, like LeBron, played into his 40s—didn’t even score that many total points in his 40s. LeBron’s dominance is not confined to one aspect of his game—he is doing it all.

All-Around Dominance: LeBron’s Other Stats

While scoring is often the most noticeable part of a player’s game, LeBron’s all-around contributions are just as impressive. He is currently leading all players aged 40 or older in assists per game, with an astounding 9 assists. This is not a player coasting on the court—this is a complete basketball player. LeBron’s vision and passing skills are still at an elite level, and his leadership shines through with every game he plays.

He also ranks second in rebounds at 7.9 per game, behind only Karl Malone. For a 40-year-old, grabbing nearly 8 rebounds per game is an exceptional achievement. Add to that his defensive ability, with averages of 0.8 steals and 0.6 blocks per game, and it becomes clear that LeBron is not just maintaining his level of play—he’s still impacting the game in every way possible.

Historic All-Star and All-NBA Considerations

What makes this even more impressive is that LeBron James isn’t just putting up stats—he’s doing so at a level that rivals All-Star caliber players. As of now, LeBron is still within the Top 12 in several key metrics in the Western Conference, including PER (Player Efficiency Rating) and VORP (Value Over Replacement Player). In fact, according to Bleacher Report’s Huge Nerd Index, he ranks 24th in the NBA and 12th in the Western Conference, placing him firmly in All-Star consideration despite being the oldest player in the league.

This is the same player who, last season at age 39, became the oldest player to ever be selected to the All-NBA Team, a feat that only adds to his growing legacy. But LeBron isn’t done yet. It is entirely possible that, depending on how the rest of the season unfolds, LeBron could make history as the first player ever to earn an All-NBA Team selection in his 40s.

LeBron James: The Greatest 40-Year-Old Ever

As the first NBA player to truly break the age barrier in terms of sustained performance, LeBron James is shattering every record for players over 40. The consistency with which he performs at a high level is unparalleled. Sure, as he gets older, his numbers may decline, but it’s hard to see how anyone—past or future—could match the sheer breadth of his achievements as a 40-year-old in the NBA.

LeBron’s ability to continue playing at such a high level speaks volumes about his work ethic, his physical condition, and his commitment to excellence. As much as we may have doubted him over the years, the fact is, LeBron James is far and away the best 40-year-old NBA player ever, and it’s not even close. He’s not just defying the odds; he’s completely rewriting the rulebook on what athletes can achieve as they age. The King isn’t done yet, and at 40, he’s still the king of the NBA.