LeBron James is entering year 22 of his NBA career and is just over two months away from turning 40. However, the four-time MVP still gives his best shot against ‘Father Time.’ The 6-foot-9, 250-lb power forward is still a brute force on the court, and he ensured his teammates knew about it during LA’s practice on Tuesday. James flexed his size after scoring an ‘and-1’ during scrimmage.
“Still too big, man,” the Lakers star said. “Yeah, big fella!”
James is indeed one of the biggest players on the Lakers. He’s tied for the second-heaviest on the team with Colin Castleton at 250 lbs, just two pounds shy of co-star Anthony Davis, who weighs 252 lbs (per ESPN).
LeBron James’ size has allowed him to dominate his opponents at will for most of his career. It’s something he has relied on heavily as he’s grown older, playing more in the post with his back to the basket and finishing at the rim through traffic.
LeBron James begins preparations for year 22 in full swing
LeBron James doesn’t seem to have lost a step if his preseason showing against the Phoenix Suns was anything to go by. The Lakers star had a solid outing in which he played 16 first-half minutes before calling it a night.
James scored 19 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished four assists, shooting 8 of 12, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range. He also had two blocks, including a superb chase-down effort against Devin Booker.
James seems rejuvenated after a rough playoff for the Lakers as they lost in the first round to the Denver Nuggets. The summer with Team USA at the Paris Olympics, where he won the tournament MVP and led the Americans to a gold medal finish, coupled with his son Bronny James joining him in the Lakers uniform, seems to have done the trick.
LeBron James was probably in a good rhythm in his first game since August because of his Olympics stint. The Lakers need exactly that from him to have a good start next year in coach JJ Redick’s first season.
James looked comfortable within Redick’s system, which has impressed many, especially on offense. The approach has been clinical, and the Lakers will hope that translates with opening night inching closer. LA has struggled to rack up wins early since the 2020-21 season, dangling around the .500 mark the past three years before a late-season push drastically improved its record.