LeBron James appeared rejuvenated in his comeback with the Los Angeles Lakers lineup on Sunday. James mentioned that he would have preferred to play, but acknowledged that the team made the right decision in having him take a break.
“If it was solely up to me, I most likely would have played,” James stated. “It would have been difficult to keep me away from the game. I have a team and I need to listen to their input as well. They have my best interests at heart.”
Despite aiming to play in all 82 games this season, James admitted that the discomfort in his left foot persists.
“It hasn’t gone away,” James admitted regarding his foot issue. “It’s something I deal with every day.”
Lakers coach JJ Redick expressed his focus on finding ways to ensure James gets rest and stays healthy, without necessarily needing to sit out games.
“Not necessarily reducing his minutes, but having shorter rotations so he doesn’t get fatigued, quick breaks on the bench, and then back in the game,” Redick explained.
