LeBron James Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has seemed to be the first athlete truly capable of defeating Father Time.

James recorded his third straight triple-double on Wednesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. With his play of late, there’s no reason James can’t play several more years in the NBA, but after the game he officially announced that wasn’t in the cards.


“I don’t know. I’m not gonna play that much longer. If it’s 1 year, 2 years, whatever the case may be. I’m not playing until the wheels fall off. I’m not gonna be the guy that’s disrespecting the game,” James told reporters outside of his locker room.

Fans reacted to the announcement on social media.

People were interested in these podcasts
Play Episode
59min
The Play-By-Play
Shannon Sharpe sex on IG Live, The Athletic pivoting, Jason Kelce all over ‘MNF’
Shannon Sharpe accidentally posting himself having sex on Instagram Live. Is a Pistons beat writer moving to cover the Knicks a sign of change for The Athletic? Was sports media being condescending toward Tua Tagovailoa? Awful Announcing's Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss all that and more, including ESPN getting their money's worth for Jason Kelce this Monday night on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:16: Shannon Sharpe having sex on Instagram Live-13:00: The Athletic pivoting away from local coverage?-27:31: Congress proposing sports gambling legislation-41:21: Pro athletes getting endorsement deals within sports betting companies-47:46: Jason Kelce was all over ESPN Monday night-51:25: Sports media conversation about Tua Tagovailoa’s concussionYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
Super Bowl storylines, sportsbooks dialing back sponsored content
Two weeks of Super Bowl coverage is going to bring repeated talking points. Sports betting companies are cutting funding for sponsored content. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including Deion Sanders and the Dallas Cowboys on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-2:23: Super Bowl storylines you’re going to get tired of hearing-6:09: The Super Bowl storyline draft-32:22: Sports betting companies cutting back on sponsored content-47:59: Awful Announcing’s new newsletter/Deion Sanders and the Dallas Cowboys-51:52: ESPN appYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
LeBron James undercovered, The Ringer hires four, Deshaun Watson injury reactions
The NBA season starts on Tuesday and the media side of the sport is headed for massive change. Is LeBron James "undercovered" by sports media? The Ringer hires four including Todd McShay. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more, including the reaction to Deshaun Watson's Achilles tear on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:35: ESPN still looking for third person in top NBA broadcast team-9:36: TNT’s final year with the NBA-17:51: LeBron James being “undercovered” by media-22:49: The Ringer hiring-36:36: Deshaun Watson-49:45: Defending CFB conference realignment-53:11: Unrivaled partnering with Warner Bros. DiscoveryYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
ESPN and MLB split, Jay Caspian Kang joins for Stephen A. Smith political talk
What is Stephen A. Smith's political endgame? The New Yorker's Jay Caspian King joins Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen to discuss. Ben and Brendon will also talk about ESPN opting out of their MLB contract after 2025, as well as various NBA topics including Richard Jefferson and Brian Windhorst on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-2:04: ESPN opts out of MLB rights after 2025-20:36: View From the Subreddit: ESPN Edition-26:14: “Court of Gold”-39:02: The New Yorker’s Jay Caspian Kang joins to discuss Stephen A. Smith’s political aspirations-1:03:34: Richard Jefferson joining Mike Breen and Doris Burke on NBA Finals broadcast-1:07:23: Brian Windhorst a free agent after the NBA seasonYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“I still bet he plays 3 more years, retires, and plays for Team USA in the 2028 Olympics in LA,” one fan said on Twitter.

“Saying “I’m not going to play until the wheels fall off” is an insane statement in year 22,” one fan added.

“If reaves and rui turned into dependable players consistently like jrue and d white. Lakers would be championship ready and goat wouldn’t be talking like this. He means it but if he really thought he could win he wouldn’t even be giving that answer. Even if he thinks it,” one fan added.

“I’m calling it now next season will be his last season..so enjoy him while you can, he won’t be doing this for much longer,” one fan added.

“Today I would say his retirement is in 2-3 years. AD‘s prime will come to an end than to. So Lakers have to bring AD,LeBron and JJ some help for the next 2-3 years,” one fan added.

“I say max one more year.. he definitely looks his age this year with the occasional explosive plays,” added a fan.

“Sadly its more 1-2 years he would still be great at 43 but… not the same i would want to see him finish this season + 1 or 2 more,” one fan added.

Hopefully, James will change his mind and continue to play for several more years.

About Qwame Skinner

Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. At Next Impulse, Qwame covers sports with the same enthusiasm he brings to his recreational basketball and softball leagues.