NBA: Can LeBron James still be a top 5 player in year 17?

Entering his 17th season, can LeBron James defy the odds and still play like one of the greatest players in the NBA today?

The 17th season is the litmus test for great NBA players with extended careers. It’s the year where players squeeze the last bit of greatness from their body if they have anything left.

Only a few greats have been able to play near their peak in their 17th year. Obviously, it’s not easy. 17 years of an NBA grind and for guys like LeBron James, who religiously play deep into the postseason, their bodies haven even more mileage.

LeBron James has been able to defy the odds his whole career. Last season was the first time we saw cracks in his armor as he battled the most serious injury of his career – missing 17 games.

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But since last year was the first time we questioned whether James was still the best player in the world or not, even if he continues his process of declining as he ages, shouldn’t he still be in the conversation for a top 5 player in the NBA?

LeBron James wouldn’t be the first player to do it, but he will join a very short list of guys to still be elite that late in their career. Only three players in the history of the NBA have made an All-NBA team in year 17 – Shaquille O’Neal (3rd team), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1st team), Kobe Bryant (1st team.)

Shaquille O’Neal helped lead the Phoenix Suns to the second best record in the Western Conference by averaging 18 points on 61 percent shooting from the field and grabbing 8.4 rebounds a night. O’Neal was still an elite enter, evident by his All-NBA team selection, but he was on a very deep team. He was arguably the third-best player behind Steve Nash and Amare’ Stoudemire, while only playing the fifth-most minutes on the team.

The demand from O’Neal wasn’t that high because the team was so well-built. He was only taking 11 shots a game compared to his career average of 16. Having a plethora a players comparable in talent to O’Neal, helped him be more efficient with the ball, even though he had fewer opportunities. James will have the ball in his hands a lot more; he will have the ability to impact the game on a greater level.

For Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, he was still the second best player on his team behind Magic Johnson and still arguably the best center in the league. His 23.4 points per game led the Los Angeles Lakers in scoring en route to a division title and 62 wins.

At age 38, Abdul-Jabbar was still a primary reason for the Lakers being a true title contender. LeBron James will be turning 35, so physically he should still be able to carry a lot of the load. No one takes care of their body better than James, who will be ready for the challenge.

The best model for James to study is Kobe Bryant, who had the best year 17 of any player ever. Not only was he first-team All-NBA, but he was a true MVP candidate – finishing fifth in the voting.

Bryant truly carried the Lakers as he averaged the second-most minutes in the league (38.6), 27.3 points, the most assists of his career (per-game and total), all while shooting 46.3 percent from the field. He a was on tear all year, carrying an old, beat-up Lakers team.

James will have to be the best player on the team – averaging close to his career numbers, while still in the conversation for MVP.

Bryant laid out the blueprint for James to be a catalyst for his team. James has the pieces to have success around him, if he resembles the guy we have seen his whole career, everything will be fine.

Pre-injury, James was leading the Lakers to the 4th seed in the West. He finished the year averaging 27-8-8, the only player to hit those marks this past season. James should feel confident in himself, if he can stay healthy for most of the year, he will have the Lakers in contention for a title.

The LeBron James “Revenge Tour” is in full-effect. He’s ready to show how much gas he still has left in the tank, which will be enough to mow down the league.