LeBron James is defying Father Time

We take LeBron James for granted seemingly every year, but the fact that he’s now beating Father Time is outrageous and worthy of our attention

LeBron James is in his 14th NBA season, yet it seems as though this is his best of them all.

Here are some important individual statistics to consider from the 2016-17 regular season:

• Regular Season FG Percentage: 54.8% (3rd best of his career)
• Regular Season 3-Point Percentage: 36.3% (3rd best of his career)
• Regular Season Rebounds Per Game: 8.6 (Best of his career)
• Regular Season Assists Per Game: 8.7 (Best of his career)

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LeBron averaged 26.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.7 assists this year at age 32. Remarkable and unbelievable are words that don’t even do these numbers justice.

Yet, James Harden and Russell Westbrook gobbled up all of the MVP talk. Do those players make their teammates better than LeBron James does? Do those players prepare their teammates better than LeBron James does?

There is no player in the game that has the combination of impact, basketball IQ, and leadership that LeBron James does. It is an MVP award, meaning the Most Valuable Player, not the player who put up the most impressive numbers.

LeBron, who was second in Real Plus Minus this year (behind Chris Paul), puts up crazy numbers every year, but it is his presence on and off the court that means the most. How many players can make J.R. Smith improve on the defensive end the way Lebron has done?

Since he has been in the league, he has been worthy of MVP consideration every single year. Yes, averaging 25-plus points for 13 consecutive seasons is impressive, and so is being an 11-time All-NBA First-Team player, but it is the six consecutive finals appearances, and the ability to make his teammates better on both ends of the floor every season that warrants the most praise.

Statistics from the 2016-17 Postseason:

• Points: 34.8 (2nd best of his career)
• FG Percentage: 56.0% (2nd best of his career)
• 3-Point Percentage: 43.4% (Best of his career)

LeBron has been superb in the playoffs so far, having gone 10-0, and recording over 30 points in every single game except for one. He has also shot 50 percent or higher from the field in every single game. 34.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.1 assists is pretty darn good for 10 playoff games.

We take LeBron James and his stats for granted. The media and the basketball world just expects LeBron to put up big numbers every year, and he always delivers, despite getting older and older. Although we shouldn’t take his stats for granted, taking his impact for granted is far worse. LeBron knew what he was doing in terms of rest in the regular season, and not being concerned about the No. 1 seed in the East.

He wanted to be healthy and prepared for the playoffs in order to be the best that he can be for himself, but more importantly, for his teammates. There is no value that can be calculated to represent how much Lebron brings to the table.

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It is embarrassing for the NBA that he only has four MVPs. He won’t win it this year, and unfortunately, we have taken his impact for granted again, as he is on his way to a 7th consecutive NBA Finals appearance.

LeBron James truly is defying father time.