LeBron James is not showing any sign of winding down his NBA career, and his speed and dribbling abilities haven’t changed. In a stunning display of skill and resilience, this seasoned athlete has left spectators in awe during several preseason games in the ongoing NBA preseason. Despite his advanced age of 38, he has defied all expectations and delivered exceptional performances, serving as a powerful reminder of what lies ahead in the upcoming season.
This has given one of the newest faces on the ESPN ‘First Take’ TV show the necessary ground to support LeBron James as he continues to rule over the league in the years to come, especially now that he is about to make his debut in his 21st NBA season.
Shannon Sharpe expects LeBron James to rule the NBA for ages
Shannon Sharpe, a devoted LeBron James fan, often hailing him as the G.O.A.T. in basketball, has consistently defended the Los Angeles Lakers power forward against his critics. Recently, he came to James’ defense once again. During a segment on ESPN’s First Take, Molly Qerim mentioned that ESPN had assembled a panel of experts to rank the best players for the upcoming season, with LeBron James being ranked ninth.
This ranking came as James was about to embark on his 21st NBA season. Qerim also noted Lakers’ general manager Rob Pelinka‘s statement that James was preparing for the new season with the enthusiasm of a rookie. She then asked Shannon Sharpe if this would be the last time James made it to the top ten.
Sharpe responded with a firm “no,” emphasizing that LeBron James was something extraordinary, starting his 21st season as one of the top ten NBA players. He pointed to Lakers’ legend Kobe Bryant and how experts had written him off toward the latter part of his career. Bryant retired at the age of 37 due to his age and injuries. James, currently 38 years old, is still going strong, according to Sharpe.
Sharpe added that he believed LeBron James still had the same determination in his eyes. He argued that James was in excellent mental and physical condition and was more than willing to put in the work needed to remain great. Judging by the preseason performances of the King, it seems that only injuries can limit his chances of being among the top players in the league in the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Exploring Shannon’s King James fandom
Shannon Sharpe, a former American professional football player turned analyst, has maintained an enduring love for LeBron James that has remained unwavering over time. Many have wondered about his connection with LeBron. Although LeBron James and Shannon Sharpe are not related, they share a strong bond of friendship. Sharpe has consistently shown unwavering support for LeBron on numerous occasions.
On his show ‘Undisputed,’ part of Sharpe’s persona is openly celebrating his fandom of NBA star LeBron James, especially when his co-host is Skip Bayless, a well-known critic of James. Sharpe has even appeared on the show wearing a goat mask and LeBron’s jersey, symbolizing his belief that James is the NBA’s Greatest of All Time (GOAT).
Sharpe’s unwavering support for LeBron James was further exemplified during the 2022 NBA playoffs when he engaged in a confrontation with Ja Morant’s father during a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies. Sharpe is known for his steadfast defense of LeBron James on any platform, at any time. If you want to see his unwavering support and loyalty in action, simply compare LeBron to any other player in the NBA when he’s a guest on a show, and you’ll receive one of the most kind and supportive responses from Sharpe.
