LeBron James wants to play all 82 games this season for the Lakers
LeBron James is a man on a mission, wanting to play all 82 games for the Lakers in his 22nd NBA season.
Last year, LeBron James was an All-NBA player and a beacon of consistency and availability for the Lakers, playing in 71 games while averaging 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists.
Beginning his 22nd season, only Vince Carter played this many years in the NBA. When Carter did it, he played in 60 games but just had a couple of shifts a night.
LeBron, on the other hand, is the Lakers’ second-best player and is still being asked to do a lot to help the team win.
So, how will the team manage his workload? Will he take games off, especially during back-to-backs?
Head coach JJ Redick said before the team’s first back-to-back games of the season that the Lakers don’t have a plan for LeBron or Anthony Davis regarding rest.
When LeBron was asked directly after their victory versus the Phoenix Suns if he were playing the following night against the Sacramento Kings, he made it clear that not only would he play, but plans on playing in every game.
LeBron James says he will play the second leg of the back-to-back tomorrow and added, “I plan on playing every game” pic.twitter.com/BtSPaDo9Ft
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 26, 2024
What’s not to love about this mentality?
There is so much complaining about load management and here is 39-year-old LeBron ready to take on all 82.
LeBron last played in every contest in 2017-18 as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. His 71 games last season were the most he played as a Laker.
Only two players have participated in all 82 games for Los Angeles during the LeBron era. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope accomplished it in 2017-18 and Austin Reaves did it last year.
If LeBron plays all 82 as a 40-year-old, you can add that to his long list of accomplishments that no one will ever do again.
Whether he plays every game or not, his mentality and attitude toward attempting it are exactly what this team needs.
If LeBron, who has every reasonable excuse in the world to take games off, isn’t doing so, then no one else can load manage either.
Of course, if you’re hurt, get your rest, but if he’s gutting out all 82 with all the mileage he has had on his body, so should every other Laker.
Anthony Davis might be the best player in Los Angeles, but LeBron is still the leader. And leaders take charge with action. LeBron is letting everyone know the standard and not just talking the talk but walking the walk.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88.