NEW YORK -- Philadelphia 76ers star LeBron James is one of one. He is arguably the best player to ever play this great game as he has accomplished everything a player can do in this league and he has done so at an extremely high level. He has faced incredible expectations from the day he was drafted back in 2003 and he has surpassed all of them while also having to deal with a ton of criticisms.
As James prepares for his 24th season, and his first with the Sixers, he is still at the top of the league. He is one of those players who immediately makes a huge difference on whatever team he's on and he's made an impact on everybody around him.
Brooklyn Nets star Julius Randle has had a lot of success in his career, but he marveled at the fact that
James is entering his 24th season.
"It’s crazy," Randle said shaking his head. "Some days I wake up and I'm like, I'm retiring today. You know what I mean? Like, I'm like, 'All right, I'm done.' I’m just kidding. It's crazy, the longevity. It’s not just the physical part how he takes care of his body, but it.ma the mental. People don't understand the grind that it takes mentally, every single day, day in and day out to play at that level, specifically, but to play at any level."
That mental side of the game is something some don't fully understand. James' family is still in LA while he joins the Sixers and is looking to help the franchise win its first title since 1983. He is still committed to the grind and that's something that many don't really factor in to his greatness.
"The toll it takes, the time away from your family, like all those different things, aspects, that weigh on you as a human being," Randle added. "So, ito mentally be as locked in, as engaged as he is, for going into his 24th season; it's pretty impressive, honestly."
Nets big man Moe Wagner, entering his ninth season in the league, played with James as a rookie in 2018-19 with the Los Angeles Lakers. He learned early on that James is the standard for what it takes to succeed in the league.
"I think one thing that I've learned through LeBron is I was in rehab early on in my rookie year and I was in a weight room early every day to try to make practice on time, all of the stuff that you're trying to do when you're young," Wagner recalled. "And LeBron was always there earlier. It’s crazy because he ain't got nothing to prove, you know? That's just how he breathes. That's how he lives, and that's what he does. So that definitely made an impact because if he can have that habit, why can't I? And, of course, I remember that."
As far as James entering year 24, Wagner has a long way to go to catch up to James in terms of longevity, but it's still something he marvels at. James turns 42 in December and is still a lock to average 20 points per game in this league. It's impressive.
"Obviously, it's incredible," Wagner finished. "We were just talking about. I think, he could play until he’s 50, and still have an impact. Like, it's incredible what he can do out on the court. He's proven last year he could be a 3rd option. I can't wait to see what he can do this year on that team. It's incredible. I don't think we should take that for granted."
This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers' LeBron James praised by Nets big men Julius Randle, Moe Wagner
