LeBron James expresses his ongoing concern after returning from a personal issue and foot injury in the Lakers’ win

LeBron James expresses his ongoing concern after returning from a personal issue and foot injury in the Lakers’ win

LeBron James’ return from personal issues and a foot injury may not mean the end of the Los Angeles Lakers’ woes.

As the four-time MVP told reporters after LA’s 116-110 win over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies, the foot injury hasn’t gone away.

“It’s not behind me,” James, 39, told reporters. “It’s an everyday thing.”

In fact, James says he struggled with it for several years, even though he continued to play at a high level. For example, the Akron native is averaging 9.1 assists and 8 rebounds per game this season – both above his career marks of 7.4 and 7.5, respectively.

And although his scoring average of 22.8 points per game would be his lowest since his rookie season in 2003-04, he is still making 36.5 percent of his 3-point attempts and 74.3 percent of his free throws, also improvements over him represents career averages.

James had eight rebounds and eight assists to go and 18 points in his comeback Sunday, although he failed to explain his absence for what coach JJ Redick had previously described.

LeBron James expresses his ongoing concern after returning from a personal issue and foot injury in the Lakers’ win

LeBron James plays the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday

“I felt pretty good,” James said of his performance on Sunday. “As the season progresses, it’s very rare that you can take advantage of the schedule, and I did that last week.”

James is the oldest player in the NBA, turning 40 on December 30th. Including the playoffs, no player in league history has played more games or played more minutes than James – who is in his 22nd season, tying Vince Carter for the NBA record.

“I felt my foot, felt my body… I did my pregame workout that Sunday for the game in Portland and decided it would probably be best if I took that day off,” James said . “I had the opportunity to take more days and get my mind, my body and just everything to where I wanted to be for tonight and it worked out.”

Redick indicated that he would appreciate it if James felt the need to have a few days off.

“I played for 15 (years) and was emotionally, mentally, physically drained and drained,” Redick said. “I put everything I had into this game. I had nothing left. For people like him and (Chris Paul), the Tom Bradys of the world, the Roger Federers of the world, it’s hard to imagine sustained excellence for so long because of the toll it takes on all of you, just your body. ‘

James said he spent most of his time away rehabilitating his foot and training to stay fit.

“It was a very easy decision for me, the team and my coach to just be able to use these days for anything,” James said. “It was great.”

James is averaging 23 points, 9.1 assists and eight rebounds this season. He also has seven triple-doubles, second most in the NBA behind Denver’s Nikola Jokic.

The Lakers are now 14-12 and in 10th place in the West.

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