LeBron James’ Coach Gives Update on His Involvement With Lakers
3 days ago
3
LeBron James Reveals Why He Stepped Away From Lakers
King James is ready to reign again.
LeBron James is slowly making his return to the Los Angeles Lakers after stepping away from basketball for two games in an eight-game span. Despite LeBron’s return to the court on Dec. 15, where the Lakers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 116-110, head coach JJ Redick revealed that the 39-year-old—as well as teammate Anthony Davis didn’t return for a full practice following the win.
“LeBron and AD [Anthony Davis] didn’t practice with the group today,” the NBA alum told reporters during an official Lakers press conference on Dec. 17. “They had a very spirited individual workout with Greg St. Jean, where they moved around a lot, got in some weight room. The plan is for them to practice tomorrow.”
As for whether Lebron will be on the court when the Lakers play the Sacramento Kings Dec. 19?
“Yes, it’s anticipated,” JJ told reporters. “Don’t hold me to anything we have to make decisions in real time.”
On Dec. 11, the former podcaster—who is in his first season as Lakers head coach—told reporters that LeBron was away for the team momentarily.
“He's out for personal reasons,” JJ, 40, said. “excused absence."
“If it was up to just me, I probably would've played,” LeBron reporters of his brief hiatus following the Lakers’ victory, per ESPN. “It would've been hard to keep me away from it. I have a team and I got to listen to them as well. They look out for my best interest.”
The time away seemed to pay off, as he contributed 18 points to the team’s final total against the Grizzlies.
“I had an opportunity to take more days and get my mind, body and everything where I wanted it to be for tonight,” LeBron continued. “And it worked out.”
The Olympian—who is father of Lakers rookie LeBron ‘Bronny’ JamesJr., 20, as well as son Bryce, 17, and daughter Zhuri, 10, younger children with wife Savannah James—added that he put in “a lot of rehabbing, a lot of training still to make sure that I was ready to go tonight. Didn't want to get too much out of shape.”
Keep reading for more on LeBron and athletes whose kids followed in their footsteps…