At 40 years old, LeBron James continues to amaze.
Debate continues as to where exactly James lands on the list of all-time basketball greats. But there is no arguing about his continued excellence. No one in NBA history has maintained his level of play over the course of 22 seasons into his 40s.
And that’s because he can still do things like this:
With 8:06 left in Tuesday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, James threw down one of the best dunks of his career.
James’ Lakers teammate Rui Hachimura missed the corner 3, and Lakers guard Max Christie grabbed the rebound near the baseline. Christie turned to the middle of the court and saw James near the three-point line at the top of the key. He hit James with a rhythm pass and James did the rest.
James took a single dribble near the foul line and charged down the court at full speed and began collecting the ball with his right hand. When 7-1 Mavericks center Dereck Lively challenged him at the rim, James changed plans.
He switched the ball to his left hand for a windmill swing. A jumping Lively had no chance. James hammered home the dunk, much to the delight of the Lakers bench and TNT’s Kevin Harlan.
And remember: James is right-handed. He did that with his free hand.
James then had the wherewithal after the dunk to run back into the defense and steal the inbounds pass in the lower half. It was quintessential LeBron and a demonstration of what he still brings to the game.
He may no longer be a perennial MVP candidate. But James remains one of the best and most exciting players in the game.
