"EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- LeBron James was sidelined to open training camp Tuesday with what Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick called "a little bit of nerve irritation in the glute." James, who turns 41 in December, will become the first player in league history to have played 23 seasons when the Lakers host the Golden State Warriors on opening night next month. Redick said "the goal" is for James to be recovered in time for the Warriors game, but the coach did not rule out James participating in at least one of the Lakers' six preseason games."
"Redick said that James "probably did too much" in training camp last fall to show "buy-in" and ready himself and the team during Redick's maiden voyage as a head coach. "It'll be a slower process with him leading into the first game," Redick said. "He's obviously got 22 years so far of wear and tear on the body and he's dealing with a little bit of nerve irritation in the glute. "So, we're just playing the long game with LeBron.""
"James told ESPN on Monday that "it remains to be seen" how much he planned to participate in training camp this year. "I'm still ramping things back up," James told ESPN. "I'm not where I want to be. But I mean, I don't want to be where I want to be right now in September. So, I got some time and I'm looking forward to the process of getting there.""
LeBron James opened Lakers training camp sidelined with what coach JJ Redick called a little bit of nerve irritation in the glute. The team aims for James to be recovered in time for the Oct. opening-night game against Golden State, though he may miss or limit participation in preseason. Redick emphasized a slower ramp-up in Year 23, noting cumulative wear and tear and that James likely did too much last camp. Redick said the staff is playing the long game with James. James said he is still ramping things back up and is looking forward to the process.
Read at ESPN.com
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