Did you really expect LeBron James to maintain a triple-double average in his 22nd season in the NBA as he approaches 40?

James’ impressive longevity and his 20^th consecutive All-NBA selection last season have perhaps set expectations too high, despite his continuing to achieve remarkable feats for a player of his age.

Since the Los Angeles Lakers’ 109-80 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves, discussions about James’ potential “decline” have intensified.

In that game, James tallied only 10 points on 4-for-16 shooting, missing all four of his 3-point attempts. He also recorded eight rebounds, four assists, and six turnovers, needing a late free throw to keep his streak of scoring at least 10 points in a game alive for 1,243 games—a streak that began on January 6, 2007.

Father Time seems to be catching up. It was one of the worst performances of his career, revealing clear signs of decline. ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins remarked on social media, “Even a perfectly running car can break down after reaching 100k miles. Age 40 might be LeBron’s 100K mile marker. That’s what my grandfather used to say when his Oldsmobile stopped working.”

It’s undeniable that James is experiencing a shooting slump. Over his last six games, he has made only 43 of 108 shots, including a dismal 3-for-30 from beyond the arc, averaging just 16.8 points. He has missed 19 consecutive 3-point attempts in the last four games.

This is a tough stretch for him—one of the worst shooting slumps of his career.

“I’m just off rhythm the past few games,” James shared with reporters.

The Lakers as a whole have struggled offensively over the last six games, going 2-4 and achieving an offensive rating of just 102.4 points per 100 possessions, which is only slightly better than teams like the Wizards and the Pelicans.

However, six games isn’t enough to make sweeping conclusions about the state of James’ season. Currently, he averages 22 points—his lowest since his rookie season in 2003-04—with a field goal percentage of 48.2% and a 3-point shooting rate of 34.5%. Additionally, he averages 9.1 assists and 8.0 rebounds a game.

While these numbers reflect less efficiency, only one other player in the league is averaging at least 22 points, 9.0 assists, and 8.0 rebounds this season—Denver’s Nikola Jokic, who is a three-time MVP, including last season’s winner.

James certainly isn’t riding the bench. Just a few months ago, he played a crucial role for Team USA, winning a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and earning MVP honors. This season, he’s recorded 12 double-doubles and six triple-doubles, the second-highest in the league, and he became the oldest player in NBA history to achieve a 30-point triple-double.

His talent hasn’t vanished in just six games.

Let’s take a fresher look at Perkins’ car analogy. Modern vehicles can exceed 100,000 miles and still perform reliably. They might just need a bit more care.

For James, this might mean taking occasional games off. While he wants to play all 82 games this season, that may not be practical. He has played in all 21 games thus far, but remember his standout Olympics performance occurred without the rigors of back-to-back games or frequent games on consecutive days.

Currently, taking a break isn’t on his agenda. However, both the Lakers organization and Coach JJ Redick should think about what arrangements are best for maximizing his performance at 40.

I’m cautious about declaring this as the start of a sharp decline. That would be unwise. Naturally, there will be a decline in his game, even if it’s hard to believe given his immense legacy over the last two decades. It’s unavoidable for him to compete at the same level at the age of 40 that he did at 35.

Let’s hold off on any drastic conclusions regarding this six-game stretch until we see if it evolves into something more persistent or alarming.