With LeBron James nursing sciatica on his right side and the Los Angeles Lakers receiving below-average production from their role players, it wasn’t surprising to witness the franchise endure a 119-109 Tuesday night defeat at the hands of the Golden State Warriors.
Austin Reaves, one of two Lakers contributors to record 20+ points in the organization's season opener (Reaves- 26 points, Luka Doncic- 43 points), addressed the media after a double-digit loss and made an interesting eleven-word statement regarding James’ retirement status while answering a question about navigating life without the four-time NBA champion.
“If I was LeBron James, I probably would’ve retired by now,” Reaves said before expanding on his comment. “But he’s one of the greatest players to ever touch a basketball, so you have to do it as a collective group.”
While some initially believed that Reaves took a jab at his 40-year-old teammate, it's clear that the 27-year-old was complementing James on his impeccable longevity in the big leagues.
Most players would probably follow in Reaves’ footsteps and admit that if they were in James’ shoes, they would have exited the NBA years ago.
It’s difficult to remain in tip-top shape and perform at a superstar level for two decades, but James has somehow identified the recipe for success as an aging superstar.
How much longer will James be a part of the NBA? The answer to that question is unknown. However, it’s no secret that James is eager to return to the hardwood soon and assist his teammates during his 23rd campaign.
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