Lakers News: LeBron James Still Loves Competing With Next NBA Generation

Alex Kirschenbaum | Apr 13, 2024

Apr 12, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (left) playfully pushes Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (right). / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

After scoring 37 points on 13-of-20 shooting from the field (3-of-7 from deep) and 8-of-11 from the foul line, while grabbing nine rebounds, dishing out five dimes and swiping two steals in a 123-120 victory over the lowly Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night, All-Star Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James revealed how much he's relishing the opportunity to pummel the competition even in his NBA dotage, writes Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times.

“By the grays in my beard they’d probably know. They’d probably know I’m a lot older than they think,” James said. “But to be able to be on the floor and be able to play at a high level and keep up with the young guys, and keep up with the youngest guy, that’s something I take pride in. It’s an honor to be able to play this game that I love to play and play it at a high level.”

At age 39 and in his 21st pro season, James is the league's oldest player. He also happened to be playing, admirably, against the league's youngest, GG Jackson II, who's 19 years and 118 days old (he was born during James' second pro season on the Cavaliers).

Jackson, himself, had a solid night of his own, scoring 31 points on 12-of-23 shooting from the floor (7-of-13 from long range), while registering three steals, one assist and one rebound.