LeBron James has finally answered the question that has followed him for years - how he'll know when it's time to stop. The answer has nothing to do with numbers, contracts or outside opinions. „It's all in the mind. Where the mind goes, the body will follow. When I no longer want to come to the arena five hours before the game to start my preparation, when I stop loving the training two and a half hours early - that's when I'll know it's over. Because that's when I'll start cheating the game," the Lakers star said.

Translated: the end isn't determined by the body, but by love for the process. The long hours of preparation, the early arrival, the scheduled training - that's what James considers the essence of his commitment. When that feeling disappears, he says, the sign will be clear.

And the numbers, for now, give no reason for goodbyes. In his 22nd season in the NBA, James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists on 51.5 percent shooting from the field, over 60 games played. Stats half the league would sign for on the spot - made by a man who entered the league when today's rookies weren't even born.

So the question „when will LeBron retire" stays without a date - and deliberately so. He retires when he stops loving it. Judging by this season, that moment isn't yet in sight.