Los Angeles Lakers Player is “Comfortable” to Return to Action in Spite of Asthma Concerns

Los Angeles Lakers center JaVale McGee looks set to come back to action in spite of suffering from asthma. He felt that the league has taken enough precautions to reduce the risk of players contracting coronavirus.

“I’m definitely comfortable,” McGee told the Los Angeles Times. “We’ve been away for a while now and we’ve been COVID-free for this long. I definitely think we’ll be OK as long as we take the necessary precautions.”

When the teams started testing their players to prepare for the league’s restart, two Lakers players were reported to have tested positive. McGee confirmed he was not among the two players, although their identity remains unknown.

McGee will have a role to play as the Lakers aim for a deep post season run. The seven-foot center was averaging 6.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game prior to the league’s suspension. Not long ago, McGee’s teammate Avery Bradley confirmed his unavailability for the rest of the season.

“As committed to my Lakers teammates and the organization as I am, I ultimately play basketball for my family. And so, at a time like this, I can’t imagine making any decision that might put my family’s health and well-being at even the slightest risk,” Bradley said last week as per ESPN.

“As promised also, I will use this time away to focus on the formation of projects to help strengthen my communities.”

The Lakers might have their center, but will have to do without Bradley. Bradley has started 44 out of the Lakers’ 63 games. He averaged just over eight points this season. However, the Lakers can sign a free agent as a replacement for Bradley. JR Smith was among the names that sprung up as a player that the Lakers could possibly sign.

Los Angeles Lakers start off their campaign against the Clippers

When the league resumes, the Lakers will have their neighbors, Clippers, as their first opponents. It was the fixture that kick-started the 2019/20 NBA season last year. The Lakers later play Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, and Oklahoma City Thunder among others. Among their eight opponents, Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers are the two teams that the Lakers are yet to beat this season.