Lebron James Shuns Kawhi Leonard’s Rest Issue, Disputes Load Management

If there is one thing hotter in the NBA than the current Lakers win streak, it has to be the term “load management”.

Just this week, the term took the spotlight anew after the Los Angeles Clippers opted to sit out Kawhi Leonard in their game against the Milwaukee Bucks citing load management as their primary reason. The Clips were playing the first night of a back-to-back where they were scheduled to play against the Blazers the following night.

The move, which was later fined by the league due to inconsistencies in the statements of Doc Rivers and the Clippers management, has once again raised eyebrows from its fans, media and even the players.

Once a subject of the “resting the stars” debate, Lebron James could not escape the discussion. But he was mum on the particular Kawhi Leonard issue.

The 34-year old Laker star instead made his discourse in the general sense as he went on the counter in the load management debate.

“If I’m hurt, I don’t play. If not, I’m playing. That’s what has always been my motto,” James clarified. “LeBron’s healthy, LeBron’ll play. That’s all I’ll talk about. I don’t talk about nobody else but me.”

Continuing his talk with ESPN, he then cited his own experience when he was still playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“You know how many times me and T-Lue got into it in Cleveland when he wanted to sit me and I wanted to play?” James said. “I’m healthy, I play. I probably got a good 45 years to not play basketball.”

It seems strange to hear this kind of opposition from James as his critics pointed out that it was he who introduced "load management" in the league.

After all, however, the Akron, Ohio native is coming off his longest break in eight years after failing to reach the Playoffs in his first stint donning the Purple and Gold. The four-time league MVP likewise suffered his first major injury in the said season, this following a grueling stretch of playing through the Regular Season to the Finals from 2010 to 2018.

But instead of dwelling on how his body would respond to age and his objection to “resting while healthy”, James shifted the subject to his motivation in remaining in tip-top shape.

At year 17, the All-Time Great continues to post impressive numbers. He currently averages 26 points, 10.5 rebounds 7.8 assists while leading the Lakers to a 7-1 start.