Why LeBron might want to Quit while he's on top

[bdonovan]

Background: LeBron James is considering retirement. He said he's in the top 90/95% of NBA players.


My opinion is that's the right time to go out. When you're at the top. LeBron had 28.9 pts/game, higher than his career average. Rebounds higher than career average, same with EFG%.

No offense to Kobe fans and this is not meant to create a Kobe vs. LeBron feud, but as a Kobe fan myself, seeing him play his last season was appalling.

Not only did he not have it, he insisted on high volume shooting and became a bricklayer. It was embarrassing. It inspired those on his team, young followers of his, to adopt bad practices they had to unlearn.

In Kobe's last season 2015-6, he had a FG% of 35.8% ! (the year before it was 37.3%). Kobe was 36 and 37 years old those years. He had a 3 Pt% of 28.5 - and made 7.1 3 pt attempts per game.

If you look at league stats, Kobe had the worst Fg% in the league
https://www.basketball-reference.com..._stats::fg_pct

The league average was 45%.
https://www.basketball-reference.com..._per_game.html

Kobe also had the worst 3 Pt% that year:
https://www.basketball-reference.com...stats::fg3_pct

Despite being the worst shooter in the league, Kobe was #15 overall in 3 point attempts.
https://www.basketball-reference.com...stats::fg3_pct

Every player has to know the right time for them to exit the stage. LeBron had a higher pts/game total and efg% than his career average.
https://www.basketball-reference.com...jamesle01.html

There's no formula when to leave. Sometimes guys just want to play and it's their right.

But personally if you've already had a long, storied career, why not end it on a high note?

[Airupthere]

He already quit in 2011

[HoopologyPhD]

Very valid point, Kobe's last season was truly an embarrassment and disrespect for the game that seemed to go against all of Bryant's so called principles.

[WhiteKyrie]

At the top?

He’s already quit many times, that’s what he does, you’re talking about retirement. There’s a difference there.

Very valid point, Kobe's last season was truly an embarrassment and disrespect for the game that seemed to go against all of Bryant's so called principles.

I wouldn’t say an embarrassment but it was like seeing the regular ass guy behind the Wizard of Oz. That last game was great though.

Kobe probably should’ve retired after 2013 achilles tear. But definitely after trying to come back in 2014 and immediately having a season ending knee injury.

MJ should’ve stayed retired in 1998.

And yea I don’t think this would be a bad final game exit for LeBron. Kind of encapsulated him as a player. Same way Mike’s last Bulls game in 1998 did for him and Kobe’s final game in 2016 did for him.

[Lebron23]

He's going to return after the 2023 NBA Finals

[WhiteKyrie]

He's going to return after the 2023 NBA Finals

He’s just trying to copy Jordan again. Retiring brings him sympathy, and also could potentially make him more likable or so it seems to people, who dislike him. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. And then he can return and sign with whatever team draft this son.

[Lebron23]

He’s just trying to copy Jordan again. Retiring brings him sympathy, and also could potentially make him more likable or so it seems to people, who dislike him. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. And then he can return and sign with whatever team draft this son.

He scored 40 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists against probably the next NBA Dynasty. It's like Jordan leading the Wizards team in the playoffs and facing the Spurs or Lakers.

[WhiteKyrie]

He scored 40 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists against probably the next NBA Dynasty. It's like Jordan leading the Wizards team in the playoffs and facing the Spurs or Lakers.

Not even close. Too little too late, series was already decided. Lakers needed that in game 2 or game 3.

And really it was just a great first half.

He scored six points in the third quarter and three points in the fourth quarter. And had two possessions that basically cost the Lakers the game.

Also AD, AR-15, and Russell > Jahidi White, Chris Whitney and Sophomore Rip Hamilton. Your comparison of stupid, and Denver hasn’t won a championship yet. Let alone a dynasty. You have to win 3 in a row to be a dynasty. There hasn’t been one since the Shaq and Kobe Lakers.

[kawhileonard2]

He already quit in 2011

This

[WhiteKyrie]

This

Deeper

2010 ECSF
2010 Free Agency
2011 Finals
2014 Finals
2014 Free Agency on Friend D-Wade
2018 Finals Game 1 OT
2018 Free Agency
2019 Season
2021 First Round
2022 Season

[lxlHoTsAuSelxl]

Lebron is not going to retire all of a sudden. If he really said he is considering retirement, means its near. As the Goat or second to MJ, he will have a proper send off by annoucing his last year as a player, a farewell tour.

[bdonovan]

MJ should’ve stayed retired in 1998.

Made me think to look up Jordan's stats. He came back at age 38 in 2001-2 and had a FG% that was 15th worst in the league.
https://www.basketball-reference.com..._stats::fg_pct

However by the next year he was at league average. If it was for himself, and he was bored, hard to argue with it. At the same time, it's like coming out for an encore after a brilliant performance and botching it. Either way must be a tough call when to hang it up.

[bdonovan]

Lebron is not going to retire all of a sudden. If he really said he is considering retirement, means its near. As the Goat or second to MJ, he will have a proper send off by annoucing his last year as a player, a farewell tour.

Or he won't leave until Bronny makes the league and dunks on him, at which point he can retire confidently Bronny will carry the torch

[Hey Yo]

He’s just trying to copy Jordan again. Retiring brings him sympathy, and also could potentially make him more likable or so it seems to people, who dislike him. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. And then he can return and sign with whatever team draft this son.

If he's trying to copy Jordan he would have quit twice by now. But since his stamina isn't for shit and not mentally fragile .... he's been able to play 20 consecutive seasons. Jordan could only play 7 before needing time off to rest.

[Wally450]

He could play until he's 42-43. He's not really going to retire.