LeBron James has appeared in all 59 games for the Cavaliers this season.
He is 33 years old in his 15th NBA season and has already played more career games than Michael Jordan.
One would think with the increased knowledge and commitment to conserving player’s health and longevity to elongate careers that the Cavaliers would allow James to start resting games here and there to minimize the amount of wear and tear on his body.
Apparently that won’t be happening this season…
Here is a quote from Head Coach Tyronn Lue from Dave McMenamin of ESPN:
“I just think being the leader of this team, I don’t think he thinks he can take games off, because, you know, guys being hurt and going through a rough patch, and now new guys coming in,” Lue said before the Cavs’ 112-89 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday. “So, I think he’s trying to lead and lead by example … I think we still got to be smart about the situation, but [the training staff] say he feels good.”
LeBron has no plans to rest as long as his body feels great:
“I told you I want to play every game,” James said. “If my health continues as it is right now, then that’s what it is.”
While the team clearly needs him to play at the superhuman level that he has essentially played at almost every night for the past decade and a half to be in the top four teams in the eastern conference, not rationing his playing time somewhat seems not only short sided for the remainder of his career, but for the 2018 playoffs as the Cavaliers need him to be at his peak to have a chance of returning to the NBA Finals for a 4th straight season.
At this point LeBron James seems to be the most durable and reliable superstar in NBA history and he will need to prove it again come late spring.
