LeBron James is taking a breather before the Lakers’ season opener, and honestly, who can blame him? The Kingโs sitting out the final preseason clash against the Warriors, opting for some well-deserved downtime before squaring off against the Timberwolves. With his 40th birthday on the horizon, LeBron’s gearing up for his 22nd NBA season, tying him with Vince Carter for the most in league history. Talk about longevity!
Strategic Rest or Just Plain Old?
In a move that had fans chuckling, Lakers coach JJ Redick quipped that LeBron’s absence was due to “DNP-old.” Sounds familiar, right? It’s straight out of Gregg Popovich’s playbook, who once listed Tim Duncan as out for being “old” back in the day. But hey, if it worked for the Spurs, why not the Lakers? I think it’s a smart moveโgotta keep those legs fresh for the marathon ahead.
LeBron James, out tonight for rest, will not play tomorrow in GSW either, a source familiar with James’ plans confirmed to ESPN. @JaredSGreenberg reported earlier tonight on TNT broadcast. This will give James a full week’s rest between his final preseason game and opener vs MIN
โ Dave McMenamin (@mcten)
Preseason Stats: Not Too Shabby!
LeBron’s preseason numbers? Not too shabby for a guy who’s been around the block a few times. He averaged 12 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists over three games. The Lakers went 1-2 with him on the court, but let’s be realโpreseason is all about shaking off the rust, not chasing Ws. Redick had hoped for a full dress rehearsal on Thursday, but with LeBron and Rui Hachimura out, plans changed faster than a fast break.
LeBron James came in at No. 7 in ESPN’s annual top 100 players list.
โ Lakers Nation (@LakersNation)
Chasing 50,000: The Countdown Begins
Here’s the kicker: LeBron is just 1,364 points away from hitting the jaw-dropping milestone of 50,000 career points. That’s regular season and playoffs combined, folks. Last season, he became the first player to average 25 points, seven boards, and eight dimes at 39. And heโs still putting up 40-point games like it’s nothing. Will he catch MJ and become the GOAT of 40-point games post-39? Only time will tell.
So, what do you think? Can LeBron defy Father Time once again and hit that 50k mark this season? Let’s hear your predictions!
