LeBron James opens up on lingering concern after returning from personal issue and foot injury in Lakers' win
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LeBron James' return from personal issues and a foot injury may not spell the end of the Los Angeles Lakers' woes. As the four-time MVP told reporters after LA's 116-110 win over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies, the foot injury hasn't gone anywhere. 'It's not behind me,' the 39-year-old James told reporters. 'It's an everyday thing.'.
In fact, James says, it's something he's battled for several years, although he's continued to play at a high level. For instance, the Akron native is averaging 9.1 assists and 8 rebounds a game this season – both higher than his career marks of 7.4 and 7.5, respectively.
And while his scoring average of 22.8 points a game would be his lowest since his rookie season in 2003-04, he's still making 36.5 percent of his 3-point attempts and 74.3 percent of his free throws, both of which are also improvements on his career averages.
James had eight rebounds and eight assists to go with 18 points in his return on Sunday, although he neglected to explain his absence over what coach JJ Redick previously described as 'personal reasons.'. LeBron James handles the ball during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.
'I felt pretty good,' James said of his performance on Sunday. 'It's very rare throughout the course of the season where you can take advantage of the schedule, and I was able to do that the past week.'. James is the NBA's oldest player and turns 40 on December 30. Including playoffs, no player in league history has appeared in more games or played more minutes than James — who is in his 22nd season, tying Vince Carter for the NBA record.
