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LeBron James was frustrated with minute restriction last season

Photo: Peter Baba

LeBron James was vocal about his displeasure with his minute restriction during the 2023-24 NBA season, according to footage from Netflix’s “Starting 5” series. The series, which offers an inside look at the lives of five NBA stars, revealed that James was frustrated with the Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham’s decision to limit his time on the court.

From the start of the season, James made his dissatisfaction clear, expressing it to the Lakers’ coaching staff. In a candid moment captured in the series, James was heard venting about the situation.

“I know you got me on [expletive] old man time percentages and [expletive],” James told the team’s assistant coaches, via
Mike D. Sykes II of For The Win. He added, “Played eight minutes and [expletive]. Two shots in eight minutes. Just getting cardio. I hate this [expletive] already. This [expletive]’s garbage.”

The Lakers coaching staff, led by Ham, implemented the minute restriction to manage James’ workload and preserve his health over the long season. At 38 years old, and in his 21st season in the league, the restriction was seen as a way to reduce the wear and tear on the NBA veteran, who has had a significant history of injuries in recent years.

Despite the restrictions, James remained a key contributor for the Lakers. Last season, he averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game while playing 35.3 minutes per contest. Though it was the third-lowest minutes-per-game mark of his career, his performance showed little sign of decline.

The decision to limit James’ minutes was rooted in a broader trend in the NBA, where teams have increasingly prioritized “load management” for their aging stars. The Lakers, aiming to make a deep postseason run, believed it was essential to have James as healthy as possible for the playoffs. However, James’ frustration with the restriction highlighted the tension between balancing short-term game performance and long-term health.

James, known for his competitiveness, has rarely been receptive to sitting out or limiting his playing time. Throughout his career, he has been one of the league’s most durable players, often playing heavy minutes even into the latter stages of the season. The frustration he expressed in “Starting 5” reflects his continued desire to be on the floor as much as possible.

As the 2024-25 season approaches, it remains to be seen whether the new Lakers head coach JJ Redick will continue to impose similar restrictions on James. At 39, his ability to play at a high level has defied the typical trajectory of aging NBA players. Still, with his competitive drive, managing James’ minutes while keeping him satisfied will be a delicate balance for the Lakers’ coaching staff.

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