The star forward Lebron James He was sincere when he said that his signing of a contract for two more years with the Los Angeles Lakers did not have as a priority the economic value (85 million dollars), nor that he can reach 20 seasons as a professional, but the one that gives him the opportunity to be able to play with your older child.
His great goal and what he feels motivated and excited about is to have the opportunity to play as a professional with his son Lebron james jr., 16 years old.
“The great thing about this is that the year I will be a free agent will be the same year that my oldest son graduates from high school,” he said. James this Monday in a videoconference with journalists. “So I will have some options for the future.”
PENDING EVOLUTION
Among them, according to James They will be the ones to stay close to his family, his son or to continue playing in the sport that he loves so much.
The son of James, also know as Bronny, is a sophomore at Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth, California and also plays point guard on the college team and was out of reserve last season.
It remains to be seen how it unfolds Bronny as professional talent for years to come or if the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement will be amended to allow players to be drafted directly from high school once again, an option the league eliminated in 2005.
AN ANCIENT DREAM
This is not the first time James talks about playing in the league with his son, already in the 2018 NBA Finals, with the Cleveland Cavaliers, in statements to the ABC television network he admitted that his greatest illusion and achievement as a professional would be to be on the same field competing with your child.
“That would be number one in my life as an NBA player … I thought about it because my son is about to turn 14 years old, and he could get there a little earlier,” argued James, who could do so much if he had him as a partner. as a rival.
James, who will be 38 when the contract extension expires, would not speculate on how long he could play beyond the 2022-23 season, given that his philosophy of life is not to look too far to the future but to give everything in the present.
“I have been fortunate to be a part of 18 consecutive training camps, and I will never take it for granted,” noted the four-time winner of the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
FOR THE FIFTH RING
Hence James reiterate that now his goal is to defend a champion title for the fourth time and try to reach the fifth ring after having achieved it with the Miami Heat (two), one with the Cavaliers and the fourth last October with the Lakers.
Then in his defenses he could only repeat in 2013 with the Heat, without doing so in 2014 with the Miami team and 2017 with the Cavaliers.
“Although it is something that I have in my goals, then I only worry about the day to day and try to be in the best possible physical condition,” he acknowledged James, 35 years old. “Mentally I am always strong and I compete to compete, especially in a franchise where the only thing that counts is the title.”
THE PRE-SEASON STARTS
The repeat trip will begin with the first of four preseason games on Friday against the LA Clippers, and the regular season opening night will follow on December 22.
For now, James he’s just another basketball player adjusting to the rigors of running up and down the court again after an offseason break.
He also had time to admit that “he was hurt” by the recent statements of his former partner, the base Kyrie irving, who now plays for the Brooklyn Nets, considering that Kevin Durant he’s a better shooter than he is when the decisive moments occur.
YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH IRVING
James remembered that with Irving in the field during the three seasons that they were together, he was able to show him everything that the two of them were capable of doing together and individually.
“I have to admit that I always tried for him to be the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the league, that we were on the same page, but that could not happen and I regret it,” he said. James. “However, the fact that we achieved a title, without having that identification that is needed to win, is something incredible.”
James He said he has always wished the best to Irving, but insisted that he had been “very hurt by his comments.”
