LeBron James has done an excellent job throughout his 13-year career of taking care of his body. His work ethic has allowed him to play at least 91% of the whole season for all 13 years with the exception of one (the 2014-15 season where he played a career-low 69 games and missed 13). What was once a young LeBron is now a 13-going-on-14-year NBA veteran, and seeing as how some of the all-time greats are now retiring like Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan, LeBron is currently one of the longest-tenured active players in the league.
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After some excellent research done by Reddit user howboutnowgirl, it was discovered that only 26 active players remain who were drafted before LeBron James was in 2003.
@howboutnowgirl | r/NBA
If that photo doesn’t show it clearly, here’s the list made by the Reddit user
1 from 1995 draft: Kevin Garnett
4 from 1998 draft: Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce, Nazr Mohammed
5 from 1999 draft: Andre Miller, Elton Brand, Jason Terry, Metta World Peace, Manu Ginobili
2 from 2000 draft: Mike Miller, Jamal Crawford
6 from 2001 draft: Tyson Chandler, Pau Gasol, Joe Johnson, Richard Jefferson, Zach Randolph, Tony Parker
8 from 2002 draft :Mike Dunleavy, Nene, Amare Stoudemire, Caron Butler, Tayshaun Prince, Matt Barnes, Rasual Butler, Luis Scola
This should give lots of fans even more appreciation for a player who’s done nothing but improve and stay consistent throughout his career. LeBron is going to be entering his 14th, yeah, 14TH year in the NBA in 2016-17, and we should appreciate the King and his greatness.