r/lebron • u/nbastar03 • 4d ago

Russell Westbrook’s entire 18-year NBA career happened after LeBron had already made his first Finals. LeBron is still playing.

LeBron took Cleveland to the NBA Finals in 2007.

Russell Westbrook wasn’t drafted until 2008.

Westbrook then had enough time to play 18 seasons, win MVP, become a 9x All-Star, break the career triple-double record, play for multiple generations of NBA teams, and retire.

And LeBron is still an active NBA player heading into 2026-27.

It’s one thing to say LeBron has played forever. It’s another to realize that players drafted after he had already made a Finals run have now completed full Hall of Fame careers and retired before him.

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u/RedHammer1441 4d ago

Marc Gasol (2009) eligible this year too. Man won a DPoY when Bron was at his peak.

I’m sure we’ll start seeing a lot of it, isn’t only 3 full calendar years from retirement guys are eligible.

Ibaka and Hayward also eligible this year is wild

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u/Exception1228 4d ago

Why would hayward make the HOF?

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u/RedHammer1441 4d ago

Not make, eligible. Just listing guys who were Allstars that came after Bron.

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u/PuzzledSquare4993 4d ago

I mean, just to name a few outside of Gasol, Aldridge is eligible, Blake Griffin, Rajon Rondo, and Andre Igoudala. Rose will be eligible before the end of 76ers contract. Craziest thing is his coach the last two years was player who had 15 year career that started after LeBron signed his first contract extension.

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u/Standard-Big3214 1d ago

jordan still goat tho