As LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers continue to barnstorm through opposing NBA arenas on a nightly basis, the inevitable questions that have followed LeBron for the last decade have come along with it even though he continues to redefine what players can do in Year 17 of their NBA careers. Does LeBron need to take some games off?
The answer, for basically LeBron’s entire career, has been no. And Year 17 is no different when it comes to the NBA’s topic du jour of “Load Management.”Although crosstown rival Kawhi Leonard is still sitting games out to manage a knee issue, James is steadfast that if he’s healthy, he will play. Not only because he wants to play, but because fo the responsibility he feels for young fans in visiting cities paying to see him.
Transcribed by Christian Rivas of Silver Screen and Roll
“If I’m healthy, I play … I mean, that should be the approach. Unless we’re getting late into the season, we’ve clinched and we can’t get any better — or any worse — I could benefit from that. But why wouldn’t I play if I’m healthy? It doesn’t make any sense to me, personally. I mean, I don’t know how many games I got left in my career. I don’t know how many kids that may show up to a game that are there to come see me play — and if I sit out, then what? That’s my obligation. My obligation is to play for my teammates and if I’m healthy, then I’m going to play. If coach sits me out, then I’m not healthy and it’s just simple.”
James has often mentioned the responsibility he feels to play, especially when he’s on the road in cities where he will only visit once per year. So far this season, that attitude is driving the Lakers to a 14-1 road record, with their one road loss coming at Staples Center against the Clippers.
James and the Lakers have two games remaining on their current road trip, with Tuesday night in Indiana before a showdown against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the 23-3 Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.