After enduring stints with seven different NBA teams during his first eight seasons in the league, Christian Wood was determined to leave a strong first-day impression with his eighth team.
In preparation for a voluntary player-run minicamp, held by the Los Angeles Lakers about a week before their official training camp, Wood arrived at the San Diego State practice facility hours before the scheduled team meeting. He strived to be one of the first players on the court, aiming to make a statement. He recounted this experience to ESPN, mentioning how he got there around 7 a.m., only to find LeBron James already fully engaged in his workout, breaking a sweat before Wood had even started.
LeBron, now 38 years old and entering his 21st season with his third different franchise, has defied odds at every turn in his illustrious career. He overcame a challenging upbringing in Akron, Ohio, and consistently outperformed defenders on his path to the hoop. He bested numerous playoff opponents on his way to four NBA championships and 10 Finals appearances. Even the sky-high expectations that surrounded him as a high school prospect couldn’t hinder his ascent in the sport.
Mike Brown, the Sacramento Kings coach who began coaching LeBron when he was just 35 years old with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2005, expressed amazement at LeBron’s remarkable longevity. He noted that he considered taking a year off after being fired in Cleveland, but James has been on a relentless 21-year run.
Despite battling injuries and missing several games in recent years, LeBron’s accomplishments remain impressive. He overtook Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, a record that Abdul-Jabbar held for the entirety of LeBron’s life. Even after dealing with a significant right foot injury, he returned to lead the Lakers to the Western Conference finals, maintaining his streak of appearing in 282 playoff games without sitting out.
As LeBron enters his 21st year in the NBA, several questions arise about his future:
1. **How will the Lakers manage LeBron’s minutes?** Although the Lakers’ coach reduced LeBron’s playing time in the previous season, it was still one of his highest since joining the team in 2018. The team is being careful during training camp and preseason, incorporating rest days to ensure he’s at his best when the regular season starts.
2. **What records is LeBron chasing?** LeBron is just 1,348 points away from becoming the first NBA player to score 40,000 regular-season points. Additionally, he’s closing in on the international record for most career points, currently held by Brazilian player Oscar Schmidt. He can also become the leader in all-time NBA minutes played.
3. **How does LeBron compare to other players with similar longevity in the league?** LeBron is set to exceed the standards of production for a player in his 21st season. Other players who have reached this milestone didn’t come close to his scoring average, making his performance truly exceptional.
4. **What does LeBron think of the Lakers’ roster?** He expressed excitement about the team’s core returning and the addition of strong players. Improved 3-point shooting is a focus for the team, as it struggled in this department in the previous season.
5. **What will be different for LeBron in Year 21?** There seems to be a shift in leadership dynamics within the Lakers, with LeBron emphasizing the role of Anthony Davis as the face of the franchise. LeBron spent time mentoring younger players during the summer and appears ready to take a step back to let his teammates shine while preserving himself for the long haul. Lakers management is working with him to develop a plan to keep him performing at a high level through the season’s end.