LeBron James shares his lofty goal for NBA regular season

Dec 9, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) warms-up prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzles at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James appears to be retiring the phrase “load management” from his vocabulary.

After the Los Angeles Lakers’ 123-116 win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday night to improve to 2-0 on the season, James was asked by reporters if he would be playing on the second end of a back-to-back on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings. James said that he would be and revealed his lofty goal for this regular season — to play in all 82 games (barring injury).

LeBron James said he will play tomorrow vs. Sacramento and plans on playing all 82 games this season barring injury.

— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) October 26, 2024

That is a very ambitious goal for James, who will be 40 later this year and has missed at least 25 games in three of the previous four seasons (though James did appear in 71 games last season for the Lakers). While an injury to James (something that is not unlikely due to his age) could quickly sink that plan, it at least goes to show that he has the right mindset for this season.

The adjustment for James could be to conserve his energy by taking more of a backseat in the offense, which he has been doing to this point (18.5 points per game in the early going to co-star Anthony Davis’ 35.5). James’ stance on trying to play all 82 games also comes in the midst of other fellow NBA stars already drawing criticism this season for load-managing.