Lakers star LeBron James hinted toward retirement after the season, saying he had some things “to think about.”
Most people didn’t think he’d really retire, and most people were right.
“I don’t care how many more points I score or what I can or cannot do on the floor,” James said while receiving an ESPYs award. “The real question for me is: Can I play without cheating this game? The day I can’t give everything on the floor is the day I’ll be done. Lucky for you guys, that day is not today.”
James was presented the award by wife Savannah and their three children: sons Bronny, 18, and Bryce, 16, and daughter Zhuri, 8.
James, 38, set the NBA’s all-time scoring record last season, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Both played more than 20 years in the NBA. James is entering season No. 21 with his third franchise.
“Tonight, I want to use this moment to just say something that I’ve said a million times and I will never get sick of talking about it: I love this game. I love the game of basketball,” James said. “There’s a video going around right now on the internet of me coaching Bryce’s team last weekend, and it’s actually pretty funny. I saw a lot of posts with people talking about, ‘LeBron brings the energy to a high school AAU game the same way he would do to a Finals game.’ And to me, that’s the ultimate compliment.
“In my 20 years playing this game and all the years before, I’ve never, ever cheated the game, and I will never take it for granted.”
The Lakers have added several pieces this offseason, though done nothing majorly splashy. The return of James, of course, should serve as splash enough
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