NBA legend Tracy McGrady recently talked about Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James and his greatness, praising the four-time champion for his cardiovascular strength and ability to stay in elite shape.
“Being in tip-top shape is part of the game, right?” McGrady began. “Cardiovascular’s part of the game. That’s why LeBron James is so f—— great because he outplays and outlasts everybody in the game. A playoff game, you look down there at the fourth quarter at him, Game 7, that motherf—– ain’t sweating, man. He fresh.”
James has played 23 seasons in the NBA, yet he’s remained relatively healthy throughout his entire career. James has played in at least 55 games in all but one season (the 2020-21 campaign), and he’s played in more regular-season games (1,622) than anyone in NBA history.
On top of that, James has been to the NBA Finals 10 times in his career and has played in more playoff games (302) than anyone in NBA history as well. He had a stretch during his career where he reached the NBA Finals in eight straight seasons, showing remarkable durability year in and year out.
There’s no doubt that availability goes a long way toward a player being great. Even in his 23rd year, James appeared in 60 games for the Lakers in the regular season despite missing the start of the campaign with sciatica.
In the 2025-26 season, the four-time MVP made yet another All-Star team, and he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game while shooting 51.5 percent from the field and 31.7 percent from 3.
Then, he was the only Lakers star healthy for all 10 of the team’s playoff games, as Luka Doncic (hamstring) did not play in the playoffs while Austin Reaves (oblique) missed the first four games of the Lakers’ run.
James led the Lakers to a 3-0 series lead against the Houston Rockets and eventually took them to the second round before they were swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder. During the playoff run for L.A., James ended up averaging 23.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game.
It’s very possible that the NBA will never see another player like James, and it’s also possible he will return for a 24th season in the 2026-27 campaign. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer, James has a chance to set a ton of records because of his longevity and how well he’s taken care of his body during his career.
