Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is no longer the 20-year-old player who can run up and down the floor for 40 minutes per game. He is already 36 years old and possesses tons of miles in his body as he plays in Year 19 of his NBA career. With that said, some fans are concerned about his minutes
However, temporary head coach David Fizdale–filling in for Frank Vogel who is in COVID-19 health and safety protocols–is not one bit worried about it. After all, LeBron knows his body better over anyone else and the Lakers forward is even the one asking to be out on the court with the rest of his teammates.
“LeBron don't give us a choice! What you talking 'bout? LeBron is like ‘put me out there.' This guy is a freak, man. It's so cool being with him again… He just wants to be out there competing. And so if he sees a situation where we're down or where he would normally come out but it's right there and he's like ‘I feel OK — like in Chicago, I said ‘just let me know,' but he felt good, and he just kept saying ‘I want to stay in here. I want to stay in here,'” Fizdale said if he has any concerns about LeBron's playing time, per Harrison Faigen of SB Nation.
“So, no, I don't have a concern is the short answer. But again, I'm not here that long (laughs). That's easy for me to say as an assistant. Obviously the higher-ups and our medical team will obviously have to make those decisions. But the way he prepares himself and the liveliness that he brings to the game, no, I don't have a concern).”
Prior to Tuesday's game against the Phoenix Suns, LeBron James is second in the league in minutes per game. He is averaging 37.2 minutes a night, only behind Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet at 37.9.
FVV is just 27 though, almost a decade younger compared to King James. Among the Top 5 players getting the most minutes per game, Kevin Durant (37.0 minutes) is the only other player over the age of 30.
LeBron has been prone to injury over the past couple of seasons, so the fears of fans and experts alike are warranted. The Lakers leader is still a game-changer, but some believe the Purple and Gold will be better off giving him as much rest as possible so he can be fully healthy come playoff time.
However, with injuries to the team and COVID-19 creating a mess on almost all rosters in the league, James has no choice but to log close to 40 minutes a night.
James has taken care of his body throughout his career, so there is certainly some level of confidence for his part. Here's to hoping that he won't suffer any setback, especially as his workload increases with the absence of Anthony Davis and a slew of his Lakers teammates.
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