LeBron James’ return from personal issues and a foot injury may not spell the end of the Los Angeles Lakers’ woes.
As the four-time MVP told reporters after LA’s 116-110 win over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies, the foot injury hasn’t gone anywhere.
‘It’s not behind me,’ the 39-year-old James told reporters. ‘It’s an everyday thing.’
In fact, James says, it’s something he’s battled for several years, although he’s continued to play at a high level. For instance, the Akron native is averaging 9.1 assists and 8 rebounds a game this season – both higher than his career marks of 7.4 and 7.5, respectively.
And while his scoring average of 22.8 points a game would be his lowest since his rookie season in 2003-04, he’s still making 36.5 percent of his 3-point attempts and 74.3 percent of his free throws, both of which are also improvements on his career averages.
James had eight rebounds and eight assists to go with 18 points in his return on Sunday, although he neglected to explain his absence over what coach JJ Redick previously described as ‘personal reasons.’
LeBron James handles the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday
‘I felt pretty good,’ James said of his performance on Sunday. ‘It’s very rare throughout the course of the season where you can take advantage of the schedule, and I was able to do that the past week.’
James is the NBA’s oldest player and turns 40 on December 30. Including playoffs, no player in league history has appeared in more games or played more minutes than James — who is in his 22nd season, tying Vince Carter for the NBA record.
‘I felt my foot, felt my body….I did my pregame workout on that Sunday for the Portland game and decided it was probably best if I took that day off,’ James said. ‘I had the opportunity to take more days and get my mind, body and just everything where I wanted to be for tonight, and it worked out.’
Redick indicated that he could appreciate if James felt the need for a few days off.
‘I played 15 (years) and was emotionally, mentally, physically drained, fried,’ Redick said. ‘I put everything I had into this game. I had nothing left. For guys like him and (Chris Paul), the Tom Brady’s of the world, the Roger Federer’s of the world, it’s hard to comprehend having that level of sustained excellence for so long because of the toll that it takes on all of you, not just your body.’
James said he spent most of his time away rehabbing his foot and training to stay in game shape.
‘It was a very easy decision for myself and for the team and for my trainer to be able to take advantage of those days, just for everything,’ James said. ‘It was great.’
James is averaging 23 points, 9.1 assists and eight rebounds this season. He also has seven triple-doubles, second-most in the NBA behind Denver’s Nikola Jokic.
The Lakers are now in 10th place in the West at 14-12.
