LeBron James admitted on Wednesday night that a few months ago he was questioning himself, his ability to continue performing “without cheating the game” and still “giving the game his all.”
While accepting an award at the ESPYs in Los Angeles, James announced his decision to play for a 21st season.
James said on Wednesday, “The day I can’t give my all, that’s the day I’m done. Luckily for you guys, that day is not today.”
James, a four-time NBA champion and four-time league’s Most Valuable Player, had indicated that retirement was a possibility. it came right after Los Angeles Lakers Lost to the eventual NBA champion Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals
James only played four seconds in Game 4. He scored 40 points and had a floater that could tie the game in the final seconds that were blocked.
Concluding his meeting with reporters that night, he said, “I have a lot to think about moving forward with the game of basketball.” When asked to elaborate on that comment he said, “If I want to continue playing.”
James, a four-time Finals MVP and 19-time All-Star, averaged 28.9 points last season, slightly higher than his career average of 27.2 per game. He averaged 8.3 rebounds and 6.8 assists over 35 minutes.
His 50 percent field goal percentage was close to the middle of his annual numbers, and his 32.1 percent on 3-pointers was his fifth lowest.
lakers They were 13–20 after losing 124–115 to Dallas on Christmas Day. Buoyed by several roster moves, they went 30–19 the rest of the way, then defeated the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime in the play-in round to claim the No. 7 seed in the playoffs.
Los Angeles defeated the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies and the No. 6 Golden State Warriors each in six games to advance to the Conference Finals.
James’ 21st season will be the longest active season in the NBA and will tie him with Robert Parish, Kevin Willis, Kevin Garnett and Dirk Nowitzki. He is trailed only by Vince Carter’s 22-year career.
–Field Level Media