There were times Tuesday night when LeBron James did something that made you do one of two things.
1. Shake your head in disbelief.
2. Remind yourself of this: "He's 41."
Or maybe you did both.
James arrived in the NBA in 2003, just a year after the then-Hornets’ first season in New Orleans
Pelicans’ rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen weren’t even born when the Cleveland Cavaliers selected James with the No. 1 overall pick that year.
Fast forward 23 seasons and James is still going.
He can still put together a game to make you think he’s 31 instead of 41.
The latest example of that came in the Pelicans' 111-103 loss to James and the Los Angeles Lakers at the Smoothie King Center.
He finished with 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
His two 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter helped erase a 86-79 Pelicans’ lead. The second of those treys put the Lakers up 87-86 and they never trailed again.
Chances are, James won’t play too many more games in the Smoothie King Center.
As far as we know, this season isn’t his farewell tour.
But he is nearing the finish line of his career.
For the past 23 years, you’ve either loved him or hated him.
For most of the folks around here, it’s been more of the latter. Especially after the whole soap opera that led to the trade of former Pelicans’ star Anthony Davis to join James in L.A.
But there are still plenty of James' fans, too.
James’ No. 23 Lakers jerseys, as well as his jerseys from his days with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and even St. Vincent-St. Mary High School were spotted in the Smoothie King Center. Mike Shows and his son Jaxon drove over from Mobile and arrived at the arena three hours before tip-off to see Jaxon’s favorite player.
Who knows how many more chances they will get.
This was James 23rd time playing in New Orleans. The arena was still called New Orleans Arena and the team was called the Hornets when James played his first games here.
He's played well against the franchise, improving to 37-17 all-time with Tuesday’s win. But he has a losing record in games played in New Orleans. He’s just 10-13 in the Big Easy. That includes one stretch from the 2013-’14 season to the 2018-’19 season when he lost six straight games in this building playing for the Heat, Cavs and Lakers.
His best scoring game in New Orleans came in his second NBA season when he poured in 44 points. He also won Most Valuable Player in the 2008 All-Star Game played in New Orleans.
Pelicans’ interim coach James Borrego got his first NBA job as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs the same year James came into the league. So he has a deep appreciation for James' success.
“It’s insane that he’s been doing it this long at this level,” Borrego said. “This is a top-tier player still doing it at this age. Most guys veer off at some point. He’s been able to maintain it, sustain it this long.”
Nobody in NBA history has scored more points or played more minutes than James. Only John Stockton, Chris Paul and Jason Kidd have dished out more assists.
“It’s been incredible just watching the longevity of his run,” Borrego said. “He’s been fortunate to stay healthy, but he’s done his part to keep his body where it’s at. He’s done the best with what God gave him and that’s what’s incredible. He’s maximized every year and every ounce of God-given ability that he’s been given.”
Pelicans’ forward Trey Murphy, who poured in a career-high 42 points Tuesday, was 5-years old when he started watching James play. Like Borrego, he’s impressed with what he’s seen. Murphy, 25, missed a game last week dealing with a back injury.
“I can’t even imagine what I’d be dealing with if I was 41-years old,” Murphy said. “Big testament to him and the work he’s put in.”
Can Murphy see himself still playing at the age of 41?
“No,” he said emphatically.
Borrego hopes his players can understand the standard James has set.
“What a testament for all our young guys to look to and say ‘Man, if you put the time and work in, you never know where this is going to go, how long you can last in this league.’”
Father Time is supposed to be undefeated, but James is still making it a fight. Yeah, there are times when you can see age is catching up, like his shot that went off the top of the backboard Tuesday night. But there are other times when you can’t deny he still has something left in the tank, like his dunk or his behind-the-back pass to Marcus Smart for one of his assists.
“What an amazing career, a beautiful career,” Borrego said. “To stay at this level this long, I don’t think we have ever seen anything like it. And I’m not sure we ever will.”
So for those of you who made your way to the Smoothie King Center Tuesday night, appreciate the opportunity to witness greatness.
James’ career will someday come to an end, despite a Tuesday night performance that makes you wonder if it ever will.