40-year-old LeBron James still addicted to the ‘drug’ of playoff basketball

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is playing in his twenty second season, but still plays at a high level and wants to compete for titles.

40-year-old LeBron James still addicted to the ‘drug’ of playoff basketball

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James addicted to playoff basketball

LeBron James is all of 40 years old. That age though, has not slowed the Los Angeles Lakers superstar down as he continues to play at an elite level in season twenty-two. Many former greats have stopped at this stage, but his drive is continuing to push him every day.

Throughout that tenure, the father of three has missed the playoffs thrice. He holds an NBA record 287 appearances in the playoffs. That means, his body has been subjected to more bumps and bruises than any other player in the history of the league.

Other players have retired after twenty-two seasons. But LeBron James is looking to play at least until the end of next season. While speaking with Mind the Game podcast co-host Steve Nash, the former NBA star asked James what drives him to continue playing.

At this point of my career, I mean the regular season is fun, it’s cool. But I just only care about the playoffs. I’m all about the process. When it comes to playoff basketball man it’s definitely a drug for sure.

LeBron James said

He clarified that he knows it is not possible to win an NBA title even if he and his team knows they can. There are a lot of variables that come into play. Luck also plays a major factor. But if he believes his team can beat anyone, he would like to give it a shot.

That drive to win is similar to a ‘drug’. Therefore, he will keep trying until his body breaks down. Or his team is no longer good enough to try and win. But a chance is good enough for him to continue down that path.

LeBron James and Lakers gearing up for game 2

Even before Luka Doncic joined the Los Angeles Lakers in what is possible the most shocking trade in sports history, LeBron James was intent on trying to win another title. He was focused on getting the team to play the way head coach JJ Redick wanted them to play.

Now with Doncic alongside him, James knows the team lack in certain areas. That was exposed in the embarrassing defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves in game 1 of their first-round playoff series. But over the past few days, the team has been trying to understand what went wrong and how they would want to fix it.

The noise coming from the Lakers camp is that they have identified their mistakes. Now they are set to implement a gameplan that should help even the series. The men in purple and gold might not want to travel to Minneapolis with two straight home losses.

If they even the series, the momentum will be on their side. Then they can use that momentum to win road games and probably help Shannon Sharpe come true on his Lakers in 5 prophecies. For that though, James needs the rest of his teammates to step up.

Austin Reaves accepts responsibility for game 1 embarrassment

Up until the end of the regular season, Austin Reaves emerged as the third best scorer for the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James did not shoot well from the three-point line. But so did several of his teammates. Reaves in particular was abysmal from the field and he acknowledged that while speaking after practice.

I played s**tty. I wasn’t myself. Just got to go out there and be myself.

Austin Reaves said

If the 26-year-old can fix his game and come out swinging, the Lakers should fare better. They need him to pull defenders to his side so that others can also contribute. That also means that they need his playmaking to make a difference too.

In Game 1, the Lakers totaled 15 assists as a team. That is a far cry from their usual standards. Their top three players need to bring back that playmaking so that the Minnesota Timberwolves have more than one aspect to focus on. Only then can James continue to fight for a title.