Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is currently in his 23rd NBA season as he’s played not only for the Lakers, but also for the Cleveland Cavaliers (twice) and the Miami Heat.
That’s quite a long time for any NBA player to remain active in the league, what with back-to-backs and lots of travel. One former NBA forward is speaking out about James’ longevity in the NBA.
A.C. Green Responds to LeBron James on the Modern NBA’s Physical Demands
Former Lakers forward A.C. Green, in a recent interview, responded to a question about James’ recent comments on how much tougher it is to play in the NBA now than when he first came into the league.
James also intimated that the style of play in today’s NBA tends to lead to more player injuries. But Green had a little pushback on that thought.
“I definitely wouldn’t put the whole onus on that,” Green said in an interview with Action Network senior NBA writer Matt Moore. “I think it is faster as the decades go on. The game has gotten further away from the basket, it used to be an inside out game. I’m sort of in line with what LeBron was saying with his statement.
“Rules change all the time in this sport,” Green said. “A player must learn to pivot based on these new rules in the jump zone and needs to be aware of the landing spaces. It’s always an adjustment for all players and when caught up in the moment it can be tough.”
In the 2025-26 NBA season, James is averaging 21.4 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, 7.0 assists per game, and shooting 50.4% from the floor. James is also hitting on 31.3% of his shots from beyond the 3-point arc.
Green was a first-round draft pick (No. 23 overall) by the Lakers in the 1985 NBA Draft out of Oregon State. He knows about longevity in the NBA as he’s recognized as the league’s “Iron Man” for playing 1,192 consecutive regular-season games.
Besides the Lakers, with whom he had two tours of duty in his career, Green also played for the Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat, and Phoenix Suns. Green won three NBA championships, two in his first stretch with the Lakers in 1987 and 1988, and a third one in his final season with the Lakers in 2000.
Green averaged 9.6 points per game in his career, along with 7.4 rebounds per game, and 1.1 assists per game. Green retired from the NBA after playing with Miami for the 2000-01 NBA season.
