LeBron James opens up about the struggles a basketball player faces at 40. The Lakers legend missed the first month of the season after suffering from sciatica on his right side. Notably, James could not participate in the Lakers’ Sunday game against the New Orleans Pelicans due to left foot management. The 40-year-old managed to return for the Lakers’ game against the Phoenix Suns the following day.
LeBron James shares how it feels playing basketball at 40
NBA reporter Dave McMenamin is talking to LeBron James in the Lakers’ dressing room. A clip from the interaction has gone viral on the internet as James details basketball struggles at 40 years of age. When McMenamin asked him about his absence from Sunday’s game, the Lakers legend had a brutally honest answer to it.
James revealed, almost philosophically, “It’s called old. You get it, you understand,” before adding, “You just wake up with s**t that you didn’t have the night before.” The Lakers lost the game (125–108) against the Phoenix Suns on Monday. Fans had interesting reactions to James’ response in the viral clip.
One fan opined that King James has lost his passion for the game. The fan commented, “Hunger gone. Can’t blame him, team will coast into the offs but there was a time he wouldn’t be happy after a loss.” However, another fan believed that James has aged well. A second fan remarked, “If this is old, then every player in the league hopes to age like him.”
Previously, the Lakers legend spoke to reporters ahead of his 23rd NBA season. He confessed he was “excited about today” and was “super-invested” in this season because “I don’t know when the end is.” (via NBA).
Furthermore, he revealed, “It’s pretty cool to know how many miles I’ve got and still be able to play at a high level. For me, age is kind of just a number, but it is reality, too. You look at the history of the game, there’s not been many guys at my age, especially going into Year 23, that have been able to play at a level like that. I just try not to take it for granted and just try to give the game as much as I can, inspire whoever I can.”
Originally reported by Anwaya Mane on Mandatory
