"Laughing at all these waterboys" - Suns announcer Eddie Johnson brutally shuts down LeBron James' "Father Time" critics

Amid LA Lakers superstar forward LeBron James' record-tying 22nd NBA season, some have asserted that Father Time is finally catching up to the 40-year-old. However, according to Phoenix Suns play-by-play TV analyst Eddie Johnson, the 20-time All-Star's production for his age says otherwise.

James suited up in his first game since his 40th birthday on Tuesday. While LA fell 122-110 at home to the league-best Cleveland Cavaliers (29-4), he delivered another efficient, well-rounded performance.

The four-time MVP tallied 23 points, four rebounds, seven assists, one block and three 3-pointers, shooting 52.9%. He also threw down a fastbreak slam dunk midway through the second quarter, showcasing his continued athleticism.

After the contest, @Ballislife shared the clip and James' stat line on X/Twitter, noting that it ranks among the best first games by a 40-year-old in NBA history. A day later, Johnson reacted to the post, calling out James' detractors for failing to appreciate his sustained greatness.

"I am laughing at all these waterboys bringing up Father Time when this man is averaging a few numbers shy of a 23-point triple-double!" Johnson wrote. "Let the ones who traveled that road mention Father Time when you reach it in your mid-20s."

Through 29 outings, James is averaging 23.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 8.9 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.6 blocks and 2.0 3-pointers per game, shooting 49.7%.

Per The Associated Press, only five players (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, John Stockton, Michael Jordan, Robert Parish and Karl Malone) have averaged 10.0-plus ppg in a season after turning 40. So, James appears well on his way to becoming the sixth.

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LeBron James on sustaining All-Star caliber production in Year 22

On Monday, LeBron James reflected on turning 40 and how he's maintained an elite play level despite being past the age most players retire.

The four-time NBA champion underscored how surreal his career journey has been, including playing alongside his son, Lakers rookie Bronny James, this season.

"It's kind of laughable, really, to know where I am, to see where I am still, playing the game at a high level," James said. "Still being such a young man, but old in the scheme of how many years I've got in this profession.

"(I) just think back to when I came into the league. That's the first thing I thought about. You came in as an 18-year-old kid, and now you're sitting here as a 40-year-old, a 22-year vet, with a 20-year-old in the NBA as well. It's pretty cool."

James added that he "could probably play this game at a high level for ... about another five or seven years." However, he noted that he is "not going to do that." Thus, it appears fans should relish the final stages of his illustrious career while they still can.

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