LeBron James Discusses Injury, Return to Lakers Practice, Austin Reaves' G League Joke
LeBron James is yet to play this season because of sciatica, but he is working his way back and opened up about a number of topics Monday.
"If you had it, then you know what the hell it's about," the Los Angeles Lakers star told reporters (3:10 mark). "If you ain't never had it, people making jokes about it, I pray you never get it. It's not fun."
The superstar said he is uncertain about when he will make his season debut, but he is officially listed as questionable for Tuesday's game against the Utah Jazz.
James was assigned to the Lakers' G-League affiliate so he could practice in five-on-five situations, which prompted teammate Austin Reaves to tell reporters, "how about Bronny James starting in the NBA, and LeBron's assigned to the G League? That's fun. That's awesome."
The King was asked about Reaves' joke and said, "AR is funny" (1:08 mark).
He also said his "lungs feel like a newborn baby" as he works on his conditioning before returning to the court:
James has always been the focal point of every team he has been on throughout his career as an all-time great, but things might be slightly different this season.
After all, he turns 41 years old next month and has been sidelined for the start of the campaign. Los Angeles also has one of the best players in the league in Luka Dončić leading the way, while Reaves has also been excellent.
But James didn't seem too concerned about his overall role.
"Don't matter … position is basketball," he said (3:35 mark). "There's not one team, one club in the world that I can't fit in and play with. I can do everything on the floor, so whatever this team needs me to do and more, I can do it."
James' overall fit with the Lakers will be a fascinating development throughout the season as they shift toward building the team around Dončić moving forward. The King is also playing on the final year of his deal, so his long-term future is anything but certain.
But the Lakers are potential title contenders following a 10-4 start. Adding a player the caliber of James will only make them more dangerous, especially since he was still an All-NBA Second Team selection last season.
He may not be at his absolute peak at this stage of his career, but he is still a dominant playmaker who will force opposing defenses to choose between sending double teams his way or toward Dončić.
He and the team can worry about his contract status after the season as they pursue what would be the fifth championship of his illustrious career.
