Four-time NBA champion LeBron James is hurting the league at this point more than he is helping it by playing beyond 20 years, says ex-NBA player John Salley.
Salley, 59, became the first player in NBA history to win championships with three different franchises (since joined by Robert Horry, Danny Green and LeBron James). Known mostly as a member of the vaunted Detroit Pistons’ during their “Bad Boys” era of the late 1980s, Salley believes that King James is making it hard for the league and advertisers to market to a younger generation.
“It’s not good for the league to have old players still hanging around,” Salley told Vlad TV. “Takes away from the advertisement. You know, you’re trying to sell Ja Morant sneakers, you’re not trying to sell LeBrons.”
James’ popularity has scarcely withered after two decades in the league. He garnered nearly four million votes for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, second only to the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, Salley compared James’ longevity to Tiger Woods in that golf and Nike eventually moved on to the up-and-coming players in the PGA.
“Nike had to get rid of Nike Golf.” Salley said. “They had to get back to their core so they had to drop things that weren’t making them [money]. Tiger Woods was great for them but which one of the new up-and-coming kids are going to say ‘I want some Tiger Woods.’ No, they’re gonna go with who the new guy is. In business, especially in sports, you get in you get out. If you last ten years you are blessed.”
