If this is it for LeBron James, appreciate how unprecedented he was

If this is indeed it for LeBron James, give him credit for one thing: he was unprecedented, even until the very end.

The Oklahoma City Thunder unceremoniously swept James’ Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, May 11 in the conference semifinal round in what might be the final game of James’ storied 23-year career. James has not revealed his future plans, but will turn 42 in December and has been more vulnerable recently about how basketball is affecting his body.

James also has nothing more to prove.

“I don't know, honestly,” James said after the game when asked about his future. “It’s obviously still fresh with us losing. I don’t know. I don’t know what the future holds for me, as it stands right now tonight. I think I said last year after we lost to Minnesota that I’ll go back and recalibrate with my family and talk to them, spend some time with them. And when the time comes, obviously, you guys will know what I decide to do.”

What he did this year had never been seen before. Not only did he start all 60 games he played during the regular season (adding 10 more in the postseason), he rewrote the standard for what’s possible for players 40 and older.

In the 46 games he played after turning 41 on Dec. 30, he averaged 21.1 points, 7.3 assists and 6.4 rebounds per contest. Compare that scoring figure with the next closest player, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged just 10.5 points per game after his 41^st birthday.

Take this postseason: even though the Lakers fell well short of their objectives, they were missing All-Star Luka Dončić. And for much of L.A.’s first-round series against the Rockets, Austin Reaves was out, too.

That meant that the Lakers' hopes instantly fell squarely on James, who responded by averaging 23.2 points in the playoffs. Simply put: there has been no other player in history to be so consistently reliable this this stage of a career.

“What he’s doing at this stage of his career is remarkable,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault told reporters after the game. “Just the fact that he’s playing at this stage of his career is remarkable. The level he’s able to get to at this stage is unbelievable.

“And he is a guy that … if you make a mistake on him, he’s going to make you pay for it, and it actually helps you improve. Like, he’s developing your team because any crack, he’s going to find it.”

Even in Monday night’s Game 4 loss, James chiseled away to a steady 24 points on 8-of-18 shooting, adding 12 rebounds and 3 assists.

Frankly, that claim could be stretched to his entire career.

James has been available throughout his playing days at a near absurd level. Not only has he avoided major injury, his 61,030 regular season minutes are an all-time record and come out to 42.4 days.

He also entered Monday night with 12,405 playoff minutes, another all-time record.

Forget the discussions about where James ranks compared with Jordan or Kobe or Kareem or Wilt because those conversations tend to be reductive and difficult to quantify.

What’s undeniable is that James has been the premier player of this generation — a 22-time All-Star and four-time Most Valuable Player who won four championships with three different teams. If this was his last game, he was an ambassador of the sport and he elevated the play of his teammates. He outworked his competition and stayed in peak physical condition. He stayed out of controversy and enriched the communities in which he played.

“My rookie year, I had no idea what the hell was going on, and he basically took me under his wing and has given me every opportunity that I could ever ask for,” Lakers guard Austin Reaves told reporters after the game.

“Trusted me. Further than the court, I could build a real friendship — he’s into golf right now so we’re a lot closer — so it has been super fun. I hope to continue to do that. He has taught me a lot. I owe him a lot for my career.”

James did have his detractors, as all great players do. But if this was in fact his last game, appreciate the production and longevity. Appreciate the commitment to the sport. Because like Jordan, like Kobe, like Kareem and like Wilt, there will never be another LeBron James.