Jazz rookie Cody Williams proves LeBron James still the standard for new players

The commencement of the 2024-25 season will see Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James tie yet another all-time record. He'll join Vince Carter as the only players in NBA history to play 22 seasons in the Association, all the while joining the short list of individuals to see the court at age 40 or later.

Despite what history has told us about what players can be expected to do at what's considered an advanced age for a professional athlete, James continues to set the standard in the NBA.

Historically speaking, players at or even approaching 40 years of age occupy less demanding roles within a rotation. Despite this consistent truth, James continues to be the player against whom others measure themselves—including those who weren't even alive when he was drafted.

In an interview with Ryan Morik of Fox News, Utah Jazz rookie Cody Williams, who was born during James' second NBA season, made it clear that he's ready for the challenge of playing against James with a simple statement: "I’m in the NBA for a reason. He still has to guard me, too."

Williams admitted that it's going to be, "Cool," to play against a legend like James, but made it clear that his respect for the four-time MVP won't prevent him from playing his hardest.

"But also, I’m in the NBA. I was drafted at 10 for a reason," he said. "I’m not going to be starstruck at all; going to obviously respect him but going to go at him and let him know I’m supposed to be there, too."

Entering his 22nd season in the NBA, James continues to be the standard against which players—even those who weren't born until after he debuted—are measured.

Jazz rookie Cody Williams ready to prove himself against LeBron James

Williams was selected at No. 10 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft by Utah. He was a five-star recruit coming out of high school and lived up to the hype during his freshman season with the Colorado Buffaloes, earning All-Freshman Team honors in the Pac-12.

Williams finished his freshman season with averages of 11.9 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 28.1 minutes per game, shooting the lights out with a slash line of .552/.415/.714.

A wing who will likely be matched up against James at some point this season, Williams seems aware of who the standard is for forwards in the NBA. Even at 39 years of age, James has maintained an elite level of play, earning All-NBA honors in 2023-24 and receiving Olympics MVP recognition this summer.

Williams, the brother of Oklahoma City Thunder standout Jalen Williams, will have his first chance to prove himself against James when the two sides meet on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at the Crypto.com Arena.

As for James, it's astonishing to see players from a generation that didn't live through the full length of his career measure themselves against him. It's a testament to his legacy as one of the greatest of all time and his unprecedented longevity.

As established with All-NBA and Olympics MVP honors, the 39-year-old is still regarded as one of the best players in the world—regardless of their age.

In 2023-24, he averaged 25.7 points, 8.3 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 2.1 three-point field goals made on .540/.410/.750 shooting. For perspective, only one other player averaged at least 25.0 points, 8.0 assists, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 2.0 three-point field goals made last season: Luka Doncic.

In year 22, James will have a chance to show yet another class of incoming rookies that he sets the standard for sustained greatness.