Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: LeBron James ‘doesn’t have to prove anything’

Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says LeBron James has nothing left to prove at this point of his career as the latter considers retirement.

Although virtually no one expects LeBron James to retire this offseason following his recent comment that hinted he would consider it, there may always be a chance he does call it quits before training camp starts in September.

That chance seems remote, but one can never be sure what James has planned for his immediate future.

On Monday, a lovely new mural honoring James, Anthony Davis and several Los Angeles Lakers greats from yesteryear was unveiled in Koreatown. While there for the event, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, one of the greats from yesteryear that are portrayed on the mural, commented on the possibility of James calling it a career.

Via Los Angeles Times:

“At the end of the year, after all that, LeBron and most of the guys looked like they’d been through two seasons, you know? But they still gave it an awesome effort,” Abdul-Jabbar said Monday. “I think it’s up to him. Certainly doesn’t have to prove anything. And it’s just what he wants to do at this point.”

James surpassed Abdul-Jabbar in February to become the NBA’s all-time leading career scorer. If he returns for a 21st campaign, he will have an excellent shot at reaching 40,000 career points by the end of the season.