LeBron James Set to Make NBA History
No one in the NBA has ever played 24 seasons, but LeBron James is on the verge of changing that. In a surprising move this summer, he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers as he aims for his fifth championship. Currently, he’s the eighth oldest player in league history to kick off a season, and he’ll hit 42 in December. Over his career, James has shown remarkable durability, yet he’s faced nagging injuries towards the end of his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. As the Sixers enter training camp, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin highlighted one injury that James will have to manage.
According to McMenamin, James is dealing with chronic arthritis in his left foot, requiring special care from the Sixers’ medical team. He also contended with sciatica in his lower back last season, forcing him to sit out for a month, and this issue continues to require attention in Philadelphia.
The 76ers have had a history marred by injuries, possibly the worst in the NBA, although teams like the Pelicans and Grizzlies might contest that title. Ben Simmons saw his career spiral at just 24 due to injuries after earning three All-Star selections. Meanwhile, Markelle Fultz couldn’t get his career off the ground mostly due to injuries following his selection as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft. Joel Embiid’s long list of ailments is just the beginning, as any Sixers fan would likely agree.
Last season, James played 60 games, and in the two prior seasons, he played 70 and 71 games, respectively, with 55 and 56 games the two years before that. How many games will he manage this season? LeBron is not expected to single-handedly carry the scoring for his team anymore. With players like Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey on the roster, the Sixers should remain strong even if he and Embiid miss a few games. While they could certainly benefit from James’ renowned playmaking, that aspect becomes more crucial in the playoffs rather than in the regular season. So, the focus for the training staff will be to prepare LeBron physically for the playoffs. Will they succeed?
It’s easy to see how Sixers fans could get frustrated if James runs into more injuries this year. Let’s not forget he’s nearing 42 and has chronic arthritis in his foot. It’s impressive he performed admirably in last season’s first-round playoff series against the Rockets, averaging 23.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game to help the Lakers advance without Luka Doncic.
LeBron made it to the NBA Finals in eight consecutive years during his last stint in the Eastern Conference, which was almost a decade ago. While he might still have some magic left, it’s undeniable that time is not on his side. The presence of chronic arthritis seems to underscore that reality.
