When Michael Jordan crossed up Bryon Russell and drained the jumper that sealed the 1998 title, the G.O.A.T. was 35 years old.
He was the same age then that LeBron James is now — the same age as Jerry West, Oscar Robertson, Bill Russell and Larry Bird in their final seasons. It's not an uncommon walk-away age for NBA superstars. Wilt Chamberlain and Magic Johnson retired at 36, Julius Erving and Kobe Bryant at 37. That's the usual end of the career range, at least in pro hoops.
LeBron, of course, is not showing any glaring signs of decline.