LeBron James’s brief break left the NBA and media world scrambling for possible narratives.
The unexpected hiatus of James due to “personal reasons” made everyone wonder what could’ve been the motive behind the absence. Many hypothesized that it could be due to the Lakers’ zigzagging progress, or a potential hint that the final days are nearing for the future Hall of Famer.
Nevertheless, Stephen A. Smith argued that James earned his right to take a much-needed rest.
After nine days of basketball inactivity and skipping the Lakers’ two regular season games, James made his return on Sunday night against the Memphis Grizzlies, helping the team take a 116-113 victory with 18 points, 8 boards, and 8 assists.
Right at the post-game, James himself revealed that he had to take a layoff to recover from his left foot injury — something that has been bothering him for the past couple of years. The break also allowed him to take a refreshing time to reflect and contemplate, confessing that he feels “pretty good” right after.
As such, Stephen A. Smith is convinced that the Lakers star shouldn’t be questioned about his mysterious in-season pause.
“Listen, LeBron James is approaching 40. He’s earned it,” he said in ESPN’s First Take. “You want to take a week off, so what? The only reason the story was interest was because they put ‘personal reasons.’
“It’s LeBron James, four-time champion, 10 trips to the NBA Finals, four-time league MVP. Excuse me, you know the minutes that he’s played, that he’s logged in his illustrious career? LeBron James can get as much time off as he wants during the regular season.”
It is an intriguing notion coming from Stephen A. Smith, considering that he himself delivered a personal speculation on what could be the cause of James’ sudden unavailability.
Anyway, James can truly give himself a go if he desires to take a break whenever and whatever he would like to. By acknowledging his age and the amount of mileage he already took at this stage of his illustrious career, the Lakers are compelled to provide him a full green light whatever the circumstances may be.
With James back and fully rejuvenated, brighter things could soon be on the horizon for Los Angeles as the season moves along.
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