The Los Angeles Lakers opened their 2023-24 NBA season with a disappointing 119-107 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night. But what caught the attention of many fans and analysts was the limited playing time of LeBron James, who only logged 29 minutes in the game. This was the lowest among the Lakers’ starters and well below his career average of 38.2 minutes per game.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham explained that this was part of the team’s plan to preserve the 38-year-old superstar for the long haul. He said that James’ minutes restriction will likely continue throughout the season, depending on how he feels and what the medical staff advises.
“In all likelihood, yes,” Ham said when asked if James will play around 30 minutes per game. “Again, it’s gonna be a day-by-day process, gauged on how he’s feeling, getting communication from him, our training staff and medical staff. We communicate and collaborate … and again, it’s easy with him.”
Ham added that it was not easy for him to keep James off the floor in critical moments of the game, but he had to be mindful of his long-term health and effectiveness.
“You get caught up in the emotion of the game and you tend to forget, and you want him to play in these long stretches. But in order for him to be as effective as possible, we have to be mindful of the minute output and how long his stretches are,” Ham said.
James wants to compete
James, who is entering his 21st season in the league, did not seem thrilled with the minutes restriction. He said that he wanted to compete and help his team win, regardless of his age or mileage.
“I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all,” James said. “But I understand it. I understand what they’re trying to do. They’re trying to protect me for the long run. But I’m a competitor, man. I want to be out there with my guys.”
James also said that he trusts Ham and the Lakers’ staff to make the best decisions for him and the team, but he will always voice his opinion if he feels differently.
“I’m always going to give my input. I’m always going to give my two cents on what I think is best for me and what’s best for the team. But at the end of the day, they have my best interest,” James said.
Fans react on social media
The news of James’ minutes restriction sparked a lot of reactions from Lakers fans on social media. Some supported the move, saying that it was a smart way to keep James fresh and healthy for the playoffs. Others criticized it, saying that it was a sign of decline and weakness for James, who has been known for his durability and longevity.
Here are some of the tweets from Lakers fans:
- “I’m all for LeBron’s minutes restriction. He’s 38 years old and has played more minutes than anyone in NBA history. He needs to save his energy for when it matters most. #LakersNation”
- “LeBron’s minutes restriction is ridiculous. He’s still the best player in the world and he needs to play more if we want to win games. He can rest when he retires. #KingJames”
- “LeBron’s minutes restriction is a smart move by Darvin Ham. He knows that LeBron is not getting any younger and he needs to manage his workload carefully. This will pay off in the long run. #TrustTheProcess”
- “LeBron’s minutes restriction is a joke. He’s supposed to be the leader of this team and he’s sitting on the bench while we’re losing games. He’s not the GOAT, he’s a goat. #WashedKing”
How did James perform in his limited minutes?
Despite playing only 29 minutes, James was still very effective in his season debut. He led the Lakers with 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists, one steal and one three-pointer on 62.5% shooting from the field.
However, his performance was not enough to overcome the Nuggets, who were led by reigning MVP Nikola Jokic with 28 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. The Lakers also struggled with their defense, turnovers and three-point shooting, as they trailed by as many as 18 points in the game.
James said that he was not satisfied with his individual performance or the team’s performance, and that they have a lot of work to do to improve their chemistry and cohesion.
“I’m never satisfied with my game,” James said. “I always feel like I can do better, I can do more for my team. And as a team, we have a lot of room for improvement. We have a lot of new guys, a lot of new faces, and we have to figure out how to play together and win games.”
