LeBron James’ well being can be one of many vital components figuring out the end result of the 2022-23 season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Shortly after his appointment, new Lakers head coach Darvin Ham stated lessening James’ workload can be his No. 1 aim subsequent yr. The All-Star ahead carried an amazing quantity of weight on his shoulders the previous two years, which apparently took a toll on his physique.
Since becoming a member of the Lakers, James has performed 60 video games in a season simply as soon as, through the title-winning 2019-20 marketing campaign. Final yr, the four-time NBA champion watched 26 video games off the bench, lacking eight of the final 10 Purple and Gold matchups with an ankle drawback.
However the damage not appears to hassle the 37-year-old, he instructed ESPN’s Dave McMenamin throughout his first Drew League look in 11 years:
“I am 100 p.c wholesome,” James instructed ESPN through the first half of the motion.
James teamed up with Chicago Bulls star DeMar DeRozan to guide his MMV Cheaters staff to a 104-102 victory over the Black Pearl Elite. The Lakers All-Star scored 42 factors, taking pictures 18 of 36 (50%) from the sector and a couple of of 13 (15.four%) from middle. James additionally completed with 16 rebounds, 4 steals and three assists.
Lakers commerce goal Kyrie Irving was anticipated to play in one of many Drew League video games that day, however he didn’t present up. As a substitute, Irving was seen figuring out with members of a girls’s basketball expertise camp placed on by Los Angeles assistant coach Phil Helpful.
Helpful and Irving labored collectively on the Cleveland Cavaliers for 5 years between 2013 and 2018.
Optimism stays that the Lakers will purchase Irving
Though Irving’s enterprise saga has dragged on, the newest experiences declare that there’s nonetheless optimism amongst some gamers that the 30-year-old playmaker can be transferring to Los Angeles this summer time.
The San Antonio Spurs have reportedly signaled that they’re prepared to ease the deal by accepting Russell Westbrook’s wage in trade for an unprotected first-round decide.
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