The King’s Preseason Wrap-Up: LeBron James Prepares for Historic 22nd Season
As the NBA regular season approaches, LeBron James has officially wrapped up his preseason, giving himself a well-deserved week-long break before the Los Angeles Lakers face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday. The 39-year-old superstar will sit out the Lakers’ final preseason game against the Golden State Warriors on Friday, a source confirmed to ESPN.
A Record-Tying Feat
James is set to embark on his 22nd season in the league, a remarkable milestone that ties him with Vince Carter for the most seasons played in NBA history. This achievement is a testament to James’ enduring dominance and dedication to the sport.
Rest and Recovery
Lakers coach JJ Redick joked about James’ reason for rest, saying “DNP-old,” a tongue-in-cheek reference to San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich’s infamous “old” designation for Tim Duncan during his playing days. Redick’s lighthearted comment belies the importance of preserving James’ energy and health as he prepares for another grueling season.
Preseason Performance
In three preseason games, James averaged 12 points on 46.9% shooting, 4.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 3.0 turnovers in 18.5 minutes per game. While the Lakers finished with a 1-2 record, James’ individual performance suggests he’s still in top form.
Adjusting to Adversity
Redick had initially planned to use Thursday’s game as an extended dress rehearsal, with players resting on Friday in San Francisco. However, with James and Rui Hachimura (calf tightness) both sidelined against the Suns, those plans were scrapped. Redick acknowledged the challenges of navigating the NBA schedule, saying, “You don’t often get to live in an idealized world in this league… You don’t get to live out things exactly the way you want in this league very often, and that’s fine.”
Lessons Learned
Despite the setbacks, Redick remains optimistic about the team’s progress. “We did have a dress rehearsal – game-day shootaround, film session, all of that – today. And we’ll do the same for our pregame. It’s just the first time we’ve done that all preseason.” The Lakers will look to build on these experiences as they head into the regular season.
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