Will LeBron James Be Healthy This Year?
That little voice in the back of Cleveland Cavaliers fans’ mind is worried about LeBron James and the future. Last year he missed a couple weeks with a number of ailments and once again played in the NBA Finals (5 years in a row playing all the way through June). He isn’t getting any younger, turning the magic age of 30 last season, and has high tread on his body from all the All Star Games, USA Basketball and NBA Playoff extra minutes.
LeBron is also one of the hardest workers we have every seen in the league. He once again was on the floor a half hour before the team in Columbus this morning. (I took the picture above after we were let back in for shoot around this morning.) He doesn’t seem to know how to take it easy. He is an intense person, seemingly at everything he does. Taking a break doesn’t seem to be an option for him.
Whether it is lifting weights, putting up shots, stretching or cryochamber time, LeBron puts in the work.
The question is whether this “active body work,” as he has described it, is putting too much pressure on his body. This morning he said he prepares as if he is going to play every game. It shows.
All of these extra 30 mins of shots, all of the extra work reportedly done in the weight room and his high usage in games will, and has, added up.
Can LeBron be healthy this year?
He mentioned this morning that injuries to Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and Iman Shumpert, as well as J.R. Smith dealing with a hamstring issue, could be taxing on him. Without his supporting cast, James gave everything he could during the NBA Finals. Collapsing after a couple of games from all the effort put forth showed the drain it had on his body.
While he won’t stress his body that hard for Regular Season games, it is worth watching early in the season. Does he try to do too much? Does he get support from Mo Williams, Richard Jefferson, Timofey Mozgov and others to make up for the injury problems or will he try to do too much and wear himself out?
How James handles the time in between games may be as important. While taking a few games off might be helpful, taking time off his legs and back in between games might be as important. Obviously he is getting advice and treatment from some of the best.
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Have to wonder if he would embrace more “inactive body work” if recommended or if he is drawn to those who recommend the active approach? Most high achieving people are drawn to people who embrace similar ways of thinking. Maybe, for James, someone who thinks differently could help.
It is likely that James takes a few games, and maybe a few weeks, off this year. The odds that he will be able to stay healthy seems unlikely. He has too many miles, too many hard miles and works his body too hard to stay healthy at this point in his career.
As long as he is healthy for the Playoffs, we can all be okay with whatever happens during the Regular Season.
Do you think LeBron James stays healthy this year?