When the Los Angeles Lakers tipped off the defense of their NBA championship last Tuesday against the LA Clippers, LeBron James joined yet another selective club by beginning his 18th NBA campaign.
James became the 40th player in league history to reach Year 18, joined by Carmelo Anthony as No. 41 the following night. Unlike any of the other 40 players, LeBron still reigns as the NBA's most unstoppable individual force as his career nears two full decades. He won his fourth Finals MVP in October and has a good chance at adding a fifth as the Lakers entered the season as title favorites. Again, James finished atop ESPN's NBArank countdown of the league's best players.
As James attempts to put together the best Year 18 in NBA history, what is his competition? And what does his longevity say about his case as the GOAT?
Let's take a look, starting by breaking down everyone who has previously reached his 18th season: