LeBron James’ recent announcement that he will be returning for a 21st NBA season was met with some irritation, not because of the decision itself, but because of the way the Los Angeles Lakers star delivered the message.
After briefly considering retiring in this year’s playoff elimination, James announced at Wednesday’s ESPY Awards that he would be back for 2023-24, playfully telling the audience they were “lucky,” another year out of him.
“I don’t care how many points I still score or what I can or can’t do on the floor,” James said on stage. “The real question for me is: Can I play this game without cheating?” The day I can’t give it my all on the floor is the day I’m done.
“Lucky for you, that day is not today.”
The news was not well received by former ESPN host Dan Patrick, who on his popular radio show chastised James and the station for choosing this moment to make the announcement.
LeBron James misled Dan Patrick with his announcement at the ESPY Awards
“I wasn’t waiting for an announcement,” Patrick said Thursday on Fox Sports Radio. ‘I have a. And then ESPN treats it like it’s breaking news. And I said, “You know what’s up now?” When he retires. Not that he’s coming back. Who would have thought he could retire?
“It’s just…it’s just needy, and you don’t need it,” Patrick continued.
Even Colin Cowherd and a self-confessed James supporter found the moment “terrifying”.
“How about we do something cool in 2024 and beyond — occasional moments of a professional athlete’s humility,” Cowherd said on his show.
“I like LeBron,” he continued. “I’m pro LeBron.” [But] … ‘How lucky are we?’ A bit creepy.’
James’ announcement didn’t draw as much criticism as his 2010 “Choice,” an ESPN-produced special in which he revealed he was signing a free agent with the Miami Heat. Critics found the event smug, and ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan later revealed that then-commissioner David Stern tried to talk James out of the special.
Even Colin Cowherd (pictured) and self-confessed James fan found the moment ‘terrifying’
As for James’ future, according to his agent Rich Paul, he could potentially play until his mid-40s.
“Listen, he’s a guy I’m not going to say ‘no’ to,” Paul told Sirius XM’s Frank Isola and Sarah Kustok on Tuesday. “I think it’s important to understand what really motivates him.” I know. Obviously I’m on it… As long as he’s sane, as long as he’s still excited to play the game, apart from his health, definitely [he can].’
Rich Paul hugs LeBron James after a game against the Thunder in February
Known in the gossip pages as ‘Adele’s friend’, Paul is a longtime confidant of James and should clearly benefit financially if the four-time MVP continues playing. (James has two years and nearly $100 million left on his contract, but may be out of contract to become a free agent after next season)
But while he’s clearly biased in favor of his friend and client, Paul isn’t necessarily wrong. James’ stamina is legendary: he played 1,421 regular-season games (10th all-time) and 54,093 minutes (3rd) and set an NBA-record 282 playoff games without a career-threatening injury.
Additionally, James was still averaging 35.5 minutes per game last season while appearing in 55 of 82 regular-season games — and averaging an impressive 28.9 points per night.
“I always tease him, I said, ‘If your athletics went down you’d just be Karl Malone, that’s fine.’ “You could pick and pop, shoot the jumper, get the right readings,” Paul said and compared James to the burly former power forward of the Utah Jazz. “He can literally play as long as he wants.”
James previously left open the possibility of retirement after the Lakers were eliminated in the playoffs by eventual champions Denver Nuggets.
LeBron James, Best Record-Breaking Performance winner, Bryce James, Zhuri James, Savannah James and Bronny James attend the 2023 ESPY Awards
James said he wants to play with his son Bronny, who will be a freshman at USC next season
“We’ll see, we’ll see what happens in the future,” James said at the time. ‘I don’t know. I don’t know. To be honest, I have a lot to think about. To be honest, I have a lot to think about.
“For myself alone, if I continue to play basketball, I have a lot to think about. ‘Thank you.’
But reports have since surfaced that James was planning a return, and on Wednesday he put aside any discussion of retirement.
James has expressed a desire to play alongside his son Bronny, who will be a freshman at USC next season and could be an NBA rookie by the 2024-25 season if James earns the right to become a free agent.