LeBron James and Tom Brady (1 Viewer)

Yesterday LeBron James, who is 34 and in superb physical condition, said that like Tom Brady he plans to play well into his 40s and will not retire unless and until he absolutely has to. 

I’m wondering if this represents the start of a new trend and if we’re going to see more and more athletes, due to improved medical techniques and better conditioning, continue to perform at elite level late into their 30s and even 40s. 

I doubt it, especially with the money these guys make.  Takes a special drive to win that I don’t think most guys have

Vince Carter agrees.

Dan Lambskin said:

I doubt it, especially with the money these guys make.  Takes a special drive to win that I don’t think most guys have

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Wouldn’t the money be an impetus to play longer? Almost none of these guys will ever see anything close to the money they’re making now once they quit. 

timschochet said:

Wouldn’t the money be an impetus to play longer? Almost none of these guys will ever see anything close to the money they’re making now once they quit. 

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I will say no.   Guys like Brady and James are driven by their desire to be great, not by money.  I would submit that players driven solely by money won't have the longevity that those who are driven by the want to be great will. 

timschochet said:

Wouldn’t the money be an impetus to play longer? Almost none of these guys will ever see anything close to the money they’re making now once they quit. 

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You don’t think LBJ can make it for the rest of his life on what he made already? 
 

I know there are some guys who haven’t made the $ LBJ has but then said player probably isn’t good enough to play into his 40’s. 

Beef Ravioli said:

You don’t think LBJ can make it for the rest of his life on what he made already? 
 

I know there are some guys who haven’t made the $ LBJ has but then said player probably isn’t good enough to play into his 40’s. 

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He certainly can. Others might not. 

But when you say “good enough to play into his 40s”- let’s say we have an average player in the NBA, NFL or MLB- not a superstar but a starter or regular player- and he is told that because of medical advancement he can basically be the same player, performing at the same skill level, at 42 that he was at 32. Do you think he would take that opportunity? 

No doubt training methods have extended careers, but LBJ & TB12 are exceptions. James is simply the most physically-blessed human being ever (and does exceptional work maintaining it) and Brady's been riding the ability to use a minimum-daily-adult-requirement body to employ equally-singular game mgmt abilities. We are not remotely likely to see their careers again.

timschochet said:

He certainly can. Others might not. 

But when you say “good enough to play into his 40s”- let’s say we have an average player in the NBA, NFL or MLB- not a superstar but a starter or regular player- and he is told that because of medical advancement he can basically be the same player, performing at the same skill level, at 42 that he was at 32. Do you think he would take that opportunity? 

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Sure! I’m saying if they aren’t good enough to make top $ that the superstars make, then they probably are not good enough to maintain into their 40’s. Someone else younger is going to come up and take their place most likely.

I think Julio Franco who was a good player but not a superstar played into his 40’s. Pitcher Jamie Moyer, again good but not superstar made it into his 40’s I believe. 
 

I could also see a specialist pitcher, like a lefty who can lefties out hanging around a long time. I also think it’s more likely to happen in baseball than football and basketball. Brady and LBJ are very unique players I believe and not necessarily trend setters in this area.

Mama, raise your boys to be long snappers.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/10/16/detroit-lions-don-muhlbach-climb-up-all-time-games-list-has-been-snap/4003632002/