LeBron James, Novak Djokovic, Tom Brady and Lionel Messi show that today, at an age that would previously have been considered high, it is possible to shine in professional sports.
LeBron James at 38 years old, just became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. With 38 points in the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he surpassed Kareem Abdul Jabbar, who had a mark of 38,387 points. The winner of four championship rings, it took 20 seasons to reach the record
These two recordmen are followed by outstanding figures such as Karl Malone with 36,928, Kobe Bryant with 33,643 and Michael Jordan with 32,292.
To understand the relevance of the achievement, five days before the game, a ticket to witness the moment live cost up to $200,208. According to StubHub, the reference portal for legal resale in the United States, the ticket for a seat at the Staples Center was the most expensive among all the shows on the web during the week. The cheapest locations started at $386.
The scoring distribution throughout James’ career is divided into four cycles. In his start at the Cleveland Cavaliers he accumulated a total of 15,251 in seven seasons, in the Miami Heat he added 7,919, on his return to the Ohio franchise he added another 7,868 and in his time in Los Angeles he has scored so far, 7,323.
When Abdul Jabbar had to give up his scepter, he only had words of praise for Le Bron: “He is a source of hope and inspiration. We all win when a record is broken and if James breaks mine, I’ll be there to cheer him on.”
Many fans and sports fans believe they see in the 6, the best player of all time, highlighting how he glides in the air, his confidence when shooting finishing shots and his heart when leading his team to victory.
Tom Brady, the legend
Almost simultaneously, Tom Brady, NFL legend, winner of seven Super Bowls, again announced his retirement, assuring that this time it is “forever”.
In a message broadcast on Twitter, after 23 seasons in the elite, he said: “Good morning, guys. I’ll get to the point right away. I retire. Forever… Thank you for allowing me to live my dream. I would not change anything. I love you all”.
At 45, he was the oldest player in a professional league who has undertaken a generational renewal since the two quarterbacks of the Super Bowl on the 12th are in their twenties.
Brady always dazzled with his reading of the game, his precision and his choices. Thus he says goodbye with the NFL record in number of attempted passes (12,050), successfully completed assists (7,753), advanced yards with passes (89,214) and touchdown passes (649), among others. He is the only player to have won more than five Super Bowls and has been voted player of the game five times. No one has won as many games as him, neither in the regular league (250), nor in the playoffs, nor does he grind it in his record.
Djokovic, unbeatable in Australia
For his part, Novak Djokovic, a nine-time Australian Open champion, has just won this year’s edition. With said title he equals in 22 Grand slams obtained by Rafael Nadal.
The Serb made a ‘reappearance’ act in Melbourne after the veto the previous year due to his position on COVID.
There were many doubts in the run-up to the tournament about Nole’s physical condition, who had postponed the occasional training session and who had been seen practicing with a bandage on his left leg. Such bad presumptions were dispelled with a stroke of the pen on court.
The Swedish Mats Wilander has commented in an interview for L’Équipe: “Djokovic does not have a physique of 35 years, but of 25” He has strengthened his legs enormously with the aim of making his game more powerful. He gives the impression of being younger, fresher.
The man from Belgrade is a unique example of a player who improves with age, who treats his body with exquisite respect and who enjoys unique genetic conditions. In addition to Nole, his mental power stands out, in his resilience and desire to improve.
Lionel Messi, leader and scorer
In order not to be overabundant, we leave our Lionel Messi for last, who, at the age of 35, has achieved his long-awaited dream of kissing the third World Cup for Argentina.
In the world cup with the most goals scored, with the most dramatic final in memory, the captain of the National Team has been highlighted as the Best Player of the event.
The Rosario titles are overwhelming. With the albiceleste he won the Under 20 World Cup in 2005, the gold medal in Beijing 2008, the Copa América 2021, the Finalísima 2022 and the QATAR World Cup. With Barcelona he won 34 titles and two more with PSG. On a personal level, he won seven Ballon d’Ors.
The correspondence between the Scaloneta players and their leader has been one of the most outstanding strengths of Argentina. A player who has spared no effort to prepare himself physically and mentally for what would perhaps be his last great opportunity.
The poker of the extraordinary athletes named, show that even at an age that would previously have been considered high, it is possible to shine in the firmament of different professional sports, both individual and group.
This requires enormous discipline and special care in the body, in eating and in healthy habits.
In this sense, the technology applied to sports, from physical preparation to the selected diet, significantly help to extend the years of performance. To this must be added an enormous mental strength and the accompaniment of loved ones.
Probably none of the four is the one from their beginnings, but the experience they have gained has led them to be gravitating in other facets of the game and to command respect before their own and strangers.
It is to celebrate that the age of performance extends its borders in characters like Le Bron James, Tom Brady, Novak Djokovic and Lionel Messi. A living motivational message for those who love sports and for anyone who simply wants to improve.
*Lawyer. Prof. Nat. of Physical Education. University teacher. [email protected]