LeBron James has obviously had a storied career and even in his 23rd season he still has a burning passion for the game of basketball. 

The legendary status that James has achieved across his 23 seasons means that whenever he shows up on the court, even if it's on the road, he's must watch basketball. He even has the power to sway fans of opposing teams into cheering from him as he lights up the court, even if it means their own team is being put down on the scoreboard. 

That was the atmosphere that James found himself in Tuesday night against the New Orleans Pelicans. James went off for 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the Lakers' eight point victory over the Pelicans and the future Hall of Famer's performance was so great that he had the away crowd in New Orleans cheering him on as he made shot after shot. 

"It's humbling, I'm grateful for the road fans to able to appreciate the way that I play game and hopefully I'm able to just perform and give it back to them when I'm on the court," James said (via Oh No He Didn't on X).

James hasn't given any official word on when he'll be retiring, but after 23 seasons he is nearing the end at some point. Throughout the season, James has spoken reflectively on his career and what the game of basketball has given him.

He's referenced wondering how many times he'll have the opportunity to play the game he loves and practicing gratitude for what he's still been able to achieve and his postgame interview in New Orleans contained another contemplative message. 

"I just try to give my love and passion for the game back to the fans when I get the opportunity to come out here and play. I don't know how many times I'll get an opportunity to play in front of fans either on the road or at home," James said. 

James' words hit especially hard considering the injury problems that he's had this season that have kept him away from the court. James' debut in his 23rd season was delayed until Nov. 18 due to issues from sciatica and other issues with his feet, back and from arthritis have kept him sidelined at times. 

Earlier this season, James notably attributed his age, he's 41 years old, with the number of injuries he's had to deal with.

“It’s called old. … You just wake up with s— that you didn’t have the night before," James said (via Dave McMenamin of ESPN."

James has missed 17 games so far this season and is on track to miss the most games in a season of his entire career and with that perspective in mind, it makes sense that James has the gratitude he does for what he's able to do on the court and the way that fans, home and away, receive him.