Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, turning 35 this December, continues to play at an elite level and is not about to relinquish his throne atop the NBA royalty.

When asked about whether he intends to follow some sort of load management program to preserve his body this season, James dismissed the idea and said he does not plan to sit out games unless he is hurt.

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“If I'm hurt, I don't play. If not, I'm playing,” James told ESPN's Dave McMenamin. “That's what has always been my motto.”

Load management has become a pretty hot topic around The Association.

James doesn't appear to be too fond of the idea of “resting” during games in which he is fully capable of playing. In seven games so far this season, The King is averaging 35 minutes per game, the most for the Purple and Gold this season.

The poster boy of load management is LeBron's Hollywood counterpart from the L.A. Clippers, Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers intend to keep Leonard in a such a program to keep him fresh for an eventual deep playoff run this season. They also plan to “rest” Leonard in one of two games in their back-to-back sets.

The league recently fined the Clippers for their inconsistent comments on their two-way superstar's health status.

The load management program worked wonders for Leonard last season. Appearing in just 60 games last season, the two-time Defensive Player of the Year eventually led the Toronto Raptors to their first ever NBA championship last season.

Sure, it may be smart for the Lakers to place their 34-year old superstar in a similar program in order to prepare him for the playoffs. But at the end of the day, the decision to play will come The King himself.