NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins has made a claim about Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James’ fitness.
The 40-year-old superstar LeBron James returned back from a groin injury just a few days ago and is still only settling back into the lineup.
He dropped 17 points and 12 assists, but shot 8-20 from the field, while also giving away a costly turnover in the Lakers’ 117-119 loss to the Chicago Bulls.
James’ performance led to criticism from former LA Lakers player James Worthy as the turnover was part of the meltdown the team had in the final few seconds of the game, before Josh Giddey’s dramatic winner.
Speaking about the game on ESPN’s First Take, Perkins revealed that a source told him James was not fully fit and is only 70-75% ready.
Despite playing in Year 22, LeBron James has been explosive and been a part of 62 out of the 73 games the Lakers have played this season.
The injury he suffered against the Boston Celtics mid March was the only reason James had to sit out for a few games this season.
However, Perkins revealed the four-time NBA champion had still not completely recovered from the injury.
“LeBron James is not healthy. I’m not making excuses for what he did last night, the brainfart he had, that’s just not LeBron James, those costly turnovers, the gamble where he went for the steal in the corner three, but he is not healthy.
“That is a major concern for the Los Angeles Lakers,” said Perkins on ‘First Take’.
The panel also discussed the tough run of fixtures the Lakers have in the upcoming games.
Perkins added: “The Lakers are in trouble. That was a game last night that they needed to win, and they were supposed to win.
“LeBron James is not healthy, I think he’s probably about 70 to 75 percent, so we are talking about at a time when you are supposed to be peaking heading into the off-season, and the Lakers are trending backwards.”
James is one of the fittest players and a lot of it is down to the work he has put in since getting drafted into the league.
In the Lakers’ recent victory against Indiana Pacers, James secured the winning basket by tipping the ball in before any defender could get to him.
His ability to leap above the rest and play the amount of minutes he does is a testament to his greatness.
James is playing 35 minutes on average per game, which is more than stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton.
Speaking about taking care of his body, James said in his recent interview with Pat McAfee: “I do invest in my body, for sure.
“Trying to do a little bit of this, little bit of that.
“Obviously a lot of soft tissue work, massages, a lot of hyperbaric chambers, ice tubs, ice baths, whatever I can do to continue to play at this level, I’m going to continue to do while I’m playing.”
