Marcus Smart on LeBron James' longevity: He has 'never stopped moving'

On Saturday, when the Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Houston Rockets in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series, LeBron James played in his 293rd playoff game. No one has played in more NBA playoff games, and with this being his 19th appearance in the playoffs, only Karl Malone and John Stockton have appeared in as many postseasons.

At age 41, James continues to bend the assumed rules of aging for pro athletes. Most other pro athletes are hitting the golf links, trying their hand at broadcasting, dipping their toes into entrepreneurship or in some other world entirely at that age, with their playing careers firmly behind them.

But James is instead looking to lead the Lakers to what would be considered an inspiring playoff upset if they are to get past the Rockets, especially if Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves miss the entire series as expected. He logged 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds on Saturday, and he seemed to barely break a sweat as the Lakers notched a 107-98 win.

Marcus Smart, who was one of several players who helped James carry the load with L.A.'s top two scorers out, marveled at James' longevity, but he also understands why the future Hall of Famer has lasted so long, via The Athletic.

“There’s no way a guy at 41 should still be moving and doing the things at that level that he does it at, right?” 32-year-old Lakers guard Marcus Smart told The Athletic afterward. “But being able to see how he prepares, it changes the mindset of, ‘Oh, no wonder he’s able to do it.’ His body’s never stopped moving.