Ever since coming back from the longest injury absence of his career, LeBron James has been playing more minutes than he was before he was injured on Christmas Day.
Since his return in late January, a total of 12 games, James is averaging 38.4 minutes per game. That’s much higher than his season average of 35.4 minutes per game. And there’s serious reason to consider whether James should continue playing such a high numbers of minutes, given the most optimistic projections give them a 1% chance to make the postseason.
It’s with all of the above in mind that James was asked about whether he would continue to have the same workload. And the 34 year old didn’t deny the possibility that he play fewer minutes for the best interest of himself and the best interest of the team (aka tanking).
From Kyle Goon of the Southern California News Group
The Lakers aren’t yet mathematically eliminated from the postseason, but it would take a miracle for them to get into the playoffs now. Seeing James have a lower minutes load might be the best thing for all involved.
However, Lakers missing the postseason will continue to bring questions. Is LeBron missing the playoffs something that will lead to him being rejuvenated by not having to carry the physical and emotional load that the playoffs bring? Or is this the beginning of the end?
