LeBron James is stepping into uncharted territory. No player has ever entered a 23rd NBA season, let alone still performing at an All-Star level.
The 40-year-old Lakers star sat out the team’s opening training camp practice with what head coach J.J. Redick described as a “nerve irritation in the glute.”
Redick explained the plan is to ease LeBron into the season.
“I think it’s probably a little bit longer of a ramp up leading into opening night for him,” Redick said, via Dan Woike of The Athletic. “Just obviously in Year 23, it’s uncharted territory here. So, I felt, and in talking with performance and in talking with (James’ trainer) Mike (Mancias) and LeBron, like probably did too much last year in camp, which was great for me as a first-year head coach to get buy-in from him. But it’ll be a slower process with him leading into the first game. He’s obviously got 22 years so far of wear and tear on the body and he’s dealing with a little bit of nerve irritation in the glute. So, we’re just playing the long game with LeBron.”
LeBron’s camp has directed the Lakers to be “overly cautious” in the early stages of camp, Dave McMenamin of ESPN reports. The priority is keeping him fresh for a full season push.
Last year, LeBron averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists across 70 games.
With Luka Doncic expected to handle the bulk of playmaking and Austin Reaves stepping into a bigger role in a contract year, the Lakers believe they can afford to reduce LeBron’s early workload.
Redick even suggested James might play in one preseason game depending on how he feels.
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