Author: Monojit Mandal
LeBron James, the great player of the Los Angeles Lakers, showed tremendous courage throughout the post-season, playing despite suffering a painful rupture of the tendon in his right foot, which would require surgery. According to reports, James would take around two months to recover from the surgery, which would guarantee his preparation for the next training camp next season, as mentioned by The Athletic.
The 38-year-old basketball legend was injured at a time when the Lakers had a dismal 29-33 record and seemed to be out of contention for the post-season. James reported aloud that he felt a frightening “pop” during the incident. As a result, he missed a total of 13 games while receiving medical attention and undergoing rehabilitation. But the Lakers seemed to have found a new energy without him, coming together to win the seventh spot in the brutally difficult Western Conference Finals.
In overwhelming fashion, the Lakers defeated the second-placed Memphis Grizzlies in a thrilling first-round series, before surprisingly eliminating the Golden State Warriors, the defending champions. However, the steadfast Denver Nuggets beat them in the Western Conference Finals, putting an end to their incredible run.
Despite his crippling injuries, James showed his unwavering determination during the playoffs. He established his importance to the Lakers with a remarkable average of 24.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. He contributed 27.8 points per game in the series against the Nuggets, including a sensational 40-point outburst in the Lakers’ closing game of the season. This performance stood out in particular.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer unexpectedly fueled rumors about his future and hinted that he might retire. James said:“Let’s see what happens from here on in,” when asked about his plans. To be honest, I have a lot on my mind. Ihave a lot to consider individually to move forward with the game of basketball”. He emphasized his concern about the availability of his teammates and expressed his sadness at not being able to play as many games as he would have liked as a result of the injury.
James is due to start his 21st season in the NBA at the end of this year, extending his incredible career as one of the league’s most important and talented players if he decides not to retire. The basketball world is eagerly awaiting his decision, while saluting his essential contributions to the sport throughout his illustrious career.