Los Angeles Lakers: 3 storylines to watch heading into 2021-22

Will Father Time arrive for LeBron James?

LeBron James is entering his 19th season in the league and will be 37 years old by the time the 2022 NBA playoffs begin. If the Lakers are going to compete for a championship this season, they’re going to need an in-his-peak LeBron.

He doesn’t have to do the inhuman wonders on the court that he did when he was 26 or 27 years old but he can’t fall off a cliff either in his age-37 season. And quite frankly, that is probably a bit unfair. Most players, in fact, every player in league history, aren’t playing at the level that LeBron is currently playing at.

As long as LeBron can still flash being LeBron from time to time, especially in the playoffs, the Lakers should be just fine. What should worry every Lakers fan is not really LeBron James dropping off a ton. It should be an unforeseen injury. That’s likely how Father Time will reveal itself in LeBron’s game.