LeBron’s Award Eligibility Won’t Shape Lakers’ Playing-Time Decisions, Redick Says
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Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick said the club will not alter LeBron James’ availability to keep him eligible for postseason honors, even though the veteran forward has reached the brink of the NBA’s 65-game requirement.
James sat out Friday’s loss to the Boston Celtics and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers because of right sciatica and arthritis in his left foot. He has already missed 16 games this season; one more absence would disqualify him from award consideration under league rules.
“It’s never come up as something that’s important,” Redick told reporters, noting that discussions with James and longtime trainer Mike Mancias have centered solely on the star’s health and gradual return to form. “The biggest thing as we got closer to training camp was getting him healthy, and then as we started the season, getting healthy enough to play, and then re-acclimating him.”
James, who turns 41 later this month, missed the season’s first 14 games because of sciatica and debuted on November 18. In six appearances since then, he is averaging 14.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 32.8 minutes, shooting 41.3% from the field and 25.9% from three-point range.
Redick added that while he wants all of his players to receive any accolades they earn, keeping James healthy remains “so far down the list” of priorities compared with preserving the veteran’s long-term well-being.
Source: Hoops Wire
