“Most players go into a season wanting to play 82 games. So if that’s what he wants to do, great. I love it”. By highlighting his support in public, JJ Redick was giving LeBron James the chance to work on the goal he had set for himself. The first, and only time, that LeBron James was able to play all 82 games in an NBA tournament was during the 2017-18 season. Going into the ongoing season, the NBA All-Time scorer had expressed his wish to repeat the feat. However, the odds were stacked against him. After all, he is the oldest player in the league and makes himself more prone to injuries by taking the offensive charge. If that wasn’t enough, the recurring lapses in his performance over the last couple of games made a case for him to be benched.

From the looks of it, the reality seems to have hit the player. In the aftermath of the Lakers’ 116-110 win against the Memphis Grizzlies, LeBron James engaged in a Q&A session. During the same, he was asked about his 82-game goal, and how he would know the best time to give his body a break. To this, the 39-year-old replied that the key is to “listen more than just myself, because if it was just up to me, I probably would have played in that Portland game. I’m not sure if I’d have played in the Minnesota game but it have been hard to keep me, you know, away from it”.

The fact that the Lakers are currently on a 14-12 win record is no joke. Having the team’s lead scorer is something that would be needed by every team in every game. However, following the ideology is currently harming the Lakers more than it is benefiting them. As a result, LeBron had to add that “I have a team and, you know, I got to listen to them as well. They look out for my best interest”.

LeBron James’s recent remarks came a couple of weeks after JJ Redick once again touched base on the 82-game goal. Around the same time, discussion was running around about a report. The same claimed that LeBron James spent $1.5 million in keeping his body fit, and willing to compete. In light of this, there should be no doubt on whether LeBron James would be able to sustain his health throughout the season. Right? Well, when JJ Redick was about the same, he stated “He does a remarkable job of taking care of his body and getting recovery. I don’t know if that’s in the best interest of him and us if he does that (playing 82 games) But if he’s feeling well and feeling good and he should play. But we obviously want to manage that as best we can.”

Redick’s remark that LeBron’s 82-game goal was not in the best interest of anybody could be observed even back then. As highlighted by ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin back in early December, the small forward/power forward made 0-4 3-pointers against the Timberwolves. Under normal circumstances, it would be shrugged of as a one-game lapse. However, by missing those shots, LeBron accumulated a 0-19 3-point shooting score over the course of four games. The player secured the worst stat since he missed 24 straight shots during the 2003-2004 season, aka his rookie season.

Currently, the player has only accumulated an average score of 22.8 points over the course of 24 games. The only other season stat that was lower than this was LeBron’s average of 20.9 points in his rookie season. Everything from his field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and free-throw percentage has taken a dive. Therefore, in the struggle of getting out of the 14-12 hole, LeBron needs to do his part. And that involves bidding adieu to his 82-game goal.

LeBron James may have already prematurely ended his agenda. After all, he was absent from the two recent games against the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Minnesota Timberwolves. He took the abscence to continue recovering from his left foot soreness. With the goal now unachievable, LeBron may find himself absent from certain games. After all, it would provide him with some ample rest. For one former NBA player, however, JJ Redick should employ a further step when prioritizing LeBron’s health.

Keeping LeBron James’ health in mind, Vince Carter Calls for JJ Redick to restrict player’s minutes: “It wears on you”

8x NBA All-Star Vince Carter recently appeared on the ‘Run It Back’ show. During the discussion, the former player brought up the All-Time Scorer by stating “Too many minutes. He was playing too many darn minutes. I actually was covering that game, and he was playing 35 something minutes. And I’m all for him playing every game. That’s not the thing.” Vince Carter is someone who can relate to LeBron James. After all, he retired back in 2020 after calling a 22-year long NBA journey to an end. He was reportedly 43 years and 45 days old when he played his final game. Therefore he knows the effect that the continued gameplay can have on an older player’s body. In light of this, Carter felt that JJ Redick should restrict LeBron’s minutes.

“It wears on you, no matter what your mind [says], your body is talking to you,” said Carter. “I just feel like you have to find time to dial him back because do you need LeBron James more in the beginning of the season with AD playing like this, or do you need him from the middle to the back end of the year? I think you need him in the back end.”

Do you feel that limiting LeBron’s minutes would be the smart move? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below.