LA Laker Lebron James signed a two-year, $85 million contract extension. The outstanding basketball player recently led the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA championship and was awarded the NBA Finals MVP thanks to his amazing performance. With his recent triumph, Lebron James emerged as a four-time NBA champion and four-time Finals MVP. Undeniably, Lebron deserves this extension because the Lakers can make another NBA Finals run and possibly repeat their scintillating performance as NBA champions for the second consecutive year. James is turning 36 on December 30th, a personal milestone as he shows little evidence of aging.  

It is incredible how Lebron James continues to demonstrate verve and zest to play at such a high level, even though he has been 17 years in the League. He was the first pick of the 2003 NBA draft among other star players such as Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and Carmelo Anthony. 

Among his many accomplishments, Lebron is listed third on the NBA All-Time Scoring List. The first is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with 38,387 points, the second is Karl Malone with 36,928 points and James is third with 34,241 points. He is ahead of two great NBA legends – Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. It is believed that if Lebron keeps on  playing with the same zeal and success, he will surpass Abdul-Jabbar and  emerge with the highest aggregate points on the NBA All-Time Scoring List. At age 35 Abdul Jabbar was averaging 21.8 points per game, 2.5 assists, 5.4 defensive rebounds and 2.1 offensive rebounds. In Lebron’s most recent 2019-2020 NBA season at 35 years of age, he averaged 25.3 points per game, 10.2 assists per game, 6.2 defensive rebounds and 1.0 offensive rebound. 

These stats show how Lebron was more dominating and scoring higher at 35 years of age than Kareem.Like Michael Jordan, he is continuing to excel and give off his best in his mid-30’s . Indisputably, this has placed Lebron in the GOAT group of the NBA which testifies that he is a member of the Greatest of All Time. Again, stats bear out his promise and of things to come. At age 34, Michael Jordan averaged 28.7 points per game, 3.5 assists per game, 4.2 defensive rebounds and 1.6 offensive rebounds. Jordan had better stats when he was around Lebron’s age but this shows manifestly why they are both the two greatest players to ever play in the NBA. Both are the most impactful, have many career accomplishments and are simply nightmares for their opposing teams. 

Lebron richly deserves his two-year $85 million contract. His presence on the team is sure to bring greater laurels to the Los Angeles Lakers. It will also contribute to the thrill and excitement of the game. Lebron is sure to have an enlivening influence on the proceedings in the court. 

It would be no exaggeration to say that Lebron one day would become one of the greatest players to play for the Lakers, standing alongside NBA legends like Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Shaquille O’Neal.