Only a few days removed from turning 35, LeBron James is answering many of the same questions he answered for the majority of his career when it comes to his once-in-NBA history type of workload. James has the most playoff minutes played of all-time and is one of the highest minutes totals of all-time, which gets everyone concerned about is minutes as long as he plays.
This season, James is averaging a career-low 35.1 minutes per game. And while those minutes per game are only 0.1 minutes fewer than last season, the Lakers are playing at a much more moderate pace as they are averaging 3 possessions fewer per 48 minutes than they did last season under Luke Walton. So his minutes are lower and the intensity of the minutes is also lower.
Nevertheless, the topic of his minutes remains a concern to observers. But as always, James remains in the moment when it comes to playing, according to SB Nation’s Harrison Faigen.
“I don’t really think about it. I can’t start thinking about the playoffs while I’m living in the moment,” James said, although he did acknowledge that he’s happy to rest during games if he’s able to. “If the game… presents an opportunity where I can get some rest, then I’m going to take full advantage of it.”
Even as James was managing a couple of nagging injuries last week, he took all of the proper steps with regards to icing, lifting and recovering to stay ready to play despite taking a knee to the groin on Christmas and landing on his right elbow a few days later.
Of course, if the Lakers are able to clinch a top-seed early then James would have the opportunity to rest. But as the dog days of the season are finally here ahead of the All-Star break, James remains focused on getting his team through their current stretch. Perhaps we need to discuss how remaining in the present is another key to LeBron’s consistently being available all these years.
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