There’s a real argument that Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James doesn’t get enough flowers for all that he’s achieved in an NBA career that’s spanned more than two decades.
He’s dealt with high expectations ever since he’s stepped foot in the league, and as a result, there’s a subset of folks who like to criticize him for all the downfalls of his career as opposed to acknowledging what he’s accomplished.
American actor and comedian Jamie Foxx is seemingly among those who believe James is underappreciated. In multiple comments on an Instagram post, Foxx claimed people are “ungrateful” of James and that the NBA’s current oldest player has been “carrying this bum a– league.”
Jaime Foxx speaking the gospel about LeBron on IG 🔥
(Via @bronhistory) pic.twitter.com/7EhcjucokF
— 🎭 (@MaskedInLA) March 2, 2025
With James, it’s a question of what he hasn’t done in the NBA rather than what he has. He’s a four-time NBA champion who’s won a title with three different teams and has captured countless individual accolades.
Fans of the league also may never see another player with James’ longevity again. James is in his 22nd season and tied with former star guard Vince Carter for the most seasons played by any one player in league history.
The fact that James is still in the league at 40 years old is an accomplishment in itself. However, he isn’t merely in the NBA — he’s thriving and is an elite player. He’s still a nightly threat to rack up triple-doubles, as he’s averaging 24.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game so far in the 2024-25 season.
James was arguably the best player on the floor in the Lakers’ most recent contest against the Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 28. In a game the Lakers won by just four points, James accumulated 28 points, 13 rebounds and three assists.
Los Angeles picked up its fifth win in a row when it beat the Clippers and is now well within range of the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers are currently just one game back of the Denver Nuggets — who are spearheaded by big man Nikola Jokic and guard Jamal Murray — in the standings. Denver holds a record of 39-21 on the season with the outcome of its Sunday matchup against the Boston Celtics yet to be determined.
