Where was LeBron James? The Lakers star explains the week-long break from the team

LeBron James saw an opportunity and went for it.

Only this time, it was out of court.

He was tired. His left foot was bothering him. His quadriceps were sore.

And because the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the NBA Cup, he was able to use the calm in their schedule where the team played only two games in 10 days from December 9-18.

Therefore, he missed the Lakers’ last two games against Portland and Minnesota, buying him eight days of rest. The official reason for his absence? His foot. Illegal? The man turns 40 in a few weeks, on December 30, and he clearly needed a break.

“It’s rare, to be honest, if you can get a break in a program like that, so it was an easy decision for me and the team and my coach to be able to take advantage of those days, everything,” said James, who had 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in his comeback win over the Lakers. 116-110 win over Memphis on Sunday.

The break had come at the perfect time.

James went from being named Team USA MVP at the Paris Olympics in August as he led his country to a gold medal, missing 20 consecutive 3-pointers in a five-game stretch earlier this month. Lakers coach JJ Redick admitted Wednesday that James has called for a sub a few times this season because he was “overwhelmed.”

That shouldn’t surprise us.

James, the second player in NBA history to reach his 22nd season, didn’t have much of a break this summer, sitting out the first round against Denver in late April, going to Team USA’s training camp in July, then going to the Olympics. that month, then return to Lakers training camp in September.

He is famous for defying Father Time. But it was clear that his son, Thandeka, would win the war for a while.

“I felt my foot, I felt my body after the Hawks game, after that last drive,” James said. “Did my pregame workout that Sunday for the Portland game and I decided it was probably best to take that game off. And looking ahead to the schedule, we didn’t play again until Friday in Minnesota. I had a chance to play take a lot of days and get my mind, body mine and everything where I wanted it to be [Sunday]. And it worked. “

The break has done him good. Just over 2 minutes into the game, he made a one-handed dunk, followed by a block and a layup. He nearly finished with a triple-double, alongside Anthony Davis’ 40-point and 16-rebound performance, helping snap the Grizzlies’ hot streak to 10 wins in their last 11 games.

James’ recent shooting decline and increased turnover rate have fans and analysts wondering if his age has caught up with him.

It didn’t matter that he had four-straight triple-doubles last month. Although he averaged 23 points, 7.1 rebounds and 8 assists, three points more than any player who played a season under him.

James the second slips, his critics tend to sharpen their knives.

James has always said he will play as long as his mind and body allow him. However, it was clear that both of them needed some time off, something that Redick understood very well.

“I played 15 games [seasons] and he was emotionally, mentally, physically, burned out,” Redick said. “I put everything I had into this game. I had nothing left. For guys like him and CP, the Tom Brady’s of the world, the Roger Federers of the world, it’s hard to understand having that level of beauty going on for so long, because of the strain it takes on all of you, not just your body. .”

James was allowed to be away from the team for a week due to “personal reasons.” And, of course, he took advantage.

“A lot of rehab, a lot of training is still going to make sure I’m ready to go [Sunday],” said James.

The break allowed James to heal his sore quadriceps, an injury he suffered after Anthony Davis accidentally kneed him in the leg at the end of regulation against Atlanta. His foot? He called that a difficult issue.

“Nah, it’s not behind me,” James said. “It’s a daily thing. It’s been delayed for the last few years.”

James recently said he plans to play all 82 games this season. But it was clear that it would not work. Therefore, he took time to work on his body. And he took time in his mind. He watched his son, Bronny, score a career-high 30 points in a G League game. He called his wife’s podcast, “Everybody’s Crazy,” cracking a joke and making her laugh.

In other words, he went out of his way.

“I listen to more than myself, because if it was up to me, maybe I would have played in the Portland game and I’m not sure if I would have played in the Minnesota game, but it would have been difficult for me,” said James. “I have a team and I have to listen to them. They look after my interests.”

Make no mistake, James is still James. You can still finish triple on any given night. He still has the athleticism of someone twenty years younger.

Just a man indeed needing time off.

And like so many other times throughout his career, he was smart enough to catch this one.

Melissa Rohlin is an NBA writer for FOX Sports. He previously managed the Sports Illustrated league, i Los Angeles Times, Bay Area News Group and San Antonio The Express-News. Follow him on Twitter @melissarohlin.

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