LeBron James playing too many minutes a concern for only other player to play 22 seasons
Vince Carter voices concerns about LeBron James playing excessive minutes on the court at age 40, emphasizing energy retention.
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Vince Carter concerned over LeBron James playing time.
There is a constant change of narratives in the sports media when it comes to LeBron James. From being the best player on the Olympics team to being the oldest guy who plays with his son, LeBron has heard it all by now. Vince Carter, a Hall of Famer and the man who transformed the slam dunk contests, also chimed in on the topic.
On his recent guest spot on FanDuel’s Run It Back show, Vince expressed concern over LeBron’s minutes per game, among other things. Carter’s worries about King James’ age and body conditioning seemed very sincere and genuine. Air Canada, who himself played a record 22 seasons in the NBA before retiring, is definitely qualified to talk on the subject.
He was playing too many darn minutes. I was covering that game, and he was playing 35-something minutes, and I’m all for him playing every game. But playing 35 minutes, I just felt it was a lot… It wears on you, no matter what your mind [says], your body is talking to you.
Vince Carter said
“He was playing too many darn minutes…it wears on you, no matter what your mind (says) your body is talking to you.”
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) December 10, 2024
Vince Carter says that LeBron James is playing too many minutes in his 22nd season. ?
Is it time for JJ Redick to cut LeBron’s minutes so he can make it… pic.twitter.com/ZURk2OrKiq
Vince suggested that, at the age of 40, LeBron James should avoid playing 35 minutes a game. Instead, LeBron should conserve his energy throughout the first half for more meaningful minutes in the later quarters. He advised the L-Train to reserve his energy if he wants to go deep into the playoffs while criticizing the coaching decisions made by the Lakers staff.
Season 22 Showdown: How LeBron James’ numbers stack up against Vince Carter’s
While Vince Carter was playing a supporting role for the Atlanta Hawks in his 22nd season in 2019-2020, LeBron still remains a centerpiece to Laker’s success.
Let’s compare the stats of these two legends in the veteran stage of their respective careers. Here’s a table for your convenience:
| Stat Category | LeBron James (Year 22) | Vince Carter (Year 22) |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game (PTS) | 23.0 (T-25th in NBA) | 5.0 |
| Rebounds Per Game (REB) | 8.0 (28th in NBA) | 1.5 |
| Assists Per Game (AST) | 9.1 (4th in NBA) | 1.1 |
| Field Goal Percentage (FG%) | 49.5% | 29.5% |
| Minutes Per Game (MPG) | 35.0 | 17.5 |
From a quick peek, one can easily decipher why and how James has maintained relevancy even in his Year 22 in the league. These stats are a testament to his reign and reveal James’ perpetual dominance. Whereas it is obvious that Vince Carter had a limited role as a veteran compared to James, who still plays a major part as a leader of the team.
Besides playing at a higher level and showcasing elite shooting from the field at nearly 50%, there is a big difference between these two legends. The major difference has been their physical conditioning, which has allowed King James to play twice as many minutes as Vinsanity.
Although the saying that “Father Time is undefeated” holds weight, LeBron James has done the unthinkable. His long tenure within the league, due to his top-notch conditioning, has helped him break numerous records that place him at number one on the all-time scoring list.
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Anubhav Bajpeyee
(255 Articles Published)