SAN FRANCISCOLeBron James expressed his desire to participate in another All-Star Game. His ankle and left foot prevented him from doing so.
About 90 minutes before the tournament began on Sunday, the NBA’s all-time top scorer said he was unable to play due to persistent physical concerns. Due to his foot and ankle, which have plagued him for years, James has been frequently listed on the Los Angeles Lakers’ injury list this season.
The All-Star Game took place without James for the first time since 2004.
“I detest that,” James remarked.
James was supposed to play for Shaquille O. Neal’s squad, Shaq’s OGs, in this year’s unique mini-tournament format for the All-Star competition. James has been selected each year since his first All-Star Game in 2005, thus Sunday’s game would have been his 21st, increasing his record. Both his 21 choices and his now-snapped 20-game streak of All-Star starts set records.
There were just seven players on his All-Star team because James was not replaced. Stephen Curry of Golden State, Kyrie Irving of Dallas, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown of Boston, Kevin Durant of Phoenix, Damian Lillard of Milwaukee, and James Harden of the Los Angeles Clippers.
According to James, “I was hoping that it would feel much better this morning, but it’s not where I want it to be.” And with 30 games remaining and us attempting to compete for a postseason spot in the wild, wild, west, I think it’s critical that I take care of myself and comprehend what’s happening.
“I won’t call it maintenance,” he added, “but it is maintenance.” In addition, I have to take care of myself because I’ve been coping with this injury for years.
James stated that his rehabilitation would resume on Monday and that he would be returning to Los Angeles on Sunday evening.
“I’m not going on vacation,” James said.
James’ current goal is to play against Charlotte on Wednesday, when the Lakers begin their post-All-Star schedule. The game had to be delayed due to the wildfires that devastated the Los Angeles area.
James stated, “I hope to be available on Wednesday.”
James, the oldest player in the league and two months shy of turning forty, continues to be admired even if he did not play on Sunday.
At the half, James’ scoring average of 24.3 points is the lowest of any of his 21 All-Star seasons. But that doesn’t mean he’s slowing down: In addition to grabbing 7.7 rebounds and shooting almost 40% from three-point range, he is averaging nine assists per game, which is his second-best pre-All-Star average.
Are they the only players who have so far this season averaged at least 24.3 points, 9 assists, and 7.7 rebounds? Nikola Jokic of Denver and James.
21 All-Star games, huh? Kenny Atkinson, the coach of Cleveland, described it as mind-boggling. LeBron has the option to turn 25 if he so chooses. He was able to. Every time you play LeBron, you come to Los Angeles and say, “This guy keeps getting better,” as we coaches like to joke. How can this be?
James on the Lakers adding Luka
James says he’s still figuring out how the league’s newest star combination will function after the Lakers traded for Luka Doncic earlier this month.
Just the thrill of being able to bring a player of that caliber and a skill from that generation to our team has energized me, James added. I’m excited to see what we can accomplish. I believe we might be really strong in the last stretch as long as he keeps improving. But we’ll wait and see.
No regrets on dunk contest
James has never participated in the NBA’s dunk contest and has no intention of doing so in his latter years.
Following Mac McClung’s third consecutive dunk championship on Saturday night, a number of celebrities, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Ja Morant, and former dunk champion Zach LaVine, stated that they might think about competing in the event.
James stated, “There is no part of me that regrets not doing it.” Naturally, there were a few times when I wanted to do it, but either due to injury or a lack of motivation, things simply didn’t work out that way into the next season.
— AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds
