LeBron James pushed back against a minutes restriction last season, eager to prove that even at 38, he could handle a full workload.
At the start of last season, LeBron James found himself in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable position: playing under a minutes restriction. Entering his 21st NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers coaching staff, led by then-head coach Darvin Ham, decided to limit LeBron’s playing time in an effort to preserve his health and longevity.
However, this decision did not sit well with the 38-year-old superstar, who has built a career on pushing his physical limits and being available for his team as much as possible.
“Yeah, I know. I know y’all got me on f**king old man time percentage and s**t. Play eight minutes of s**t. Two shots in eight minutes, and just getting cardio. I hate this s**t already. This s**t’s garbage.”
“The minutes restriction is something I just I don’t agree with. I’ve never agreed with it. prepare my body physically and mentally prepare my mind for for battle. I’ve had no conversations and talks and battles with my coaches and I get it. But I also understand me. And I get me and there’s nobody gets me more than me.”
LeBron hated being on a minutes restriction early last season
“2 shots in 8 minutes just getting cardio. I hate this sh*t already, just garbage.” 😬
(🎥 @netflix / h/t @big_business_ ) https://t.co/zYeW4tKdvg
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 9, 2024
In a candid clip from the newly released documentary ‘Starting 5’, LeBron did not mince words when discussing his feelings about the minutes restriction. It was clear that LeBron felt constrained by the limitations, both in terms of his rhythm on the court and his overall impact on the game.
For a player like LeBron, who has always prided himself on his durability and ability to perform at the highest level regardless of age, the idea of being held back was not only frustrating but also counterintuitive to his entire approach to the game.
The attempt to limit LeBron’s minutes was short-lived. After a lackluster start to the season, it became evident that the Lakers needed more from their leader if they were to be competitive in a stacked Western Conference. The team’s struggles led to the lifting of the restriction, allowing LeBron to play more freely and assume his usual heavy workload.
The results were immediate and impressive. LeBron ended up averaging 35.3 minutes per game, which, while not among the highest of his career, allowed him to find his rhythm and make a significant impact.
His production spoke volumes, as he put up 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. He shot an efficient 54.0% from the field and 41.0% from three-point range, demonstrating that even in his 21st season, he was still capable of playing at an elite level. Despite his individual brilliance, however, the Lakers finished 7th in the West and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. The disappointing outcome led to Darvin Ham losing his job, as the team fell short of expectations.
With JJ Redick now at the helm as the new head coach, there is hope that LeBron will not be subjected to a minutes restriction this season. Redick, known for his own longevity in the league and understanding of player management, may take a different approach to handling LeBron’s playing time. Ideally, this would involve balancing LeBron’s minutes in a way that allows him to maintain his rhythm and competitive edge without risking overuse.
LeBron’s experience with the minutes restriction last season highlights the challenges that come with managing aging superstars. While the intent to preserve and protect is clear, it can often be at odds with the player’s desire to compete and contribute fully. For LeBron, a player who has defied the conventional wisdom about aging athletes time and time again, the idea of being held back is antithetical to his competitive nature.
As he gears up for another season, LeBron James will undoubtedly be looking to prove once again that he can handle a full workload and still be one of the best players in the league. The hope is that with a new coaching staff and a fresh perspective, he will be able to do just that, without the constraints of a minutes restriction that he so clearly despised.