An eight-city, yearlong conversation with LeBron James
"Never in my life, since I started playing the game of basketball, have I ever not started the season," James said Nov. "It's been a mind test, but I'm built for it." Beyond spoiling a preseason to prepare for the rigors of the season and a training camp to coalesce with Luka Doncic after he was acquired last year in a midseason trade , James' absence was a tangible example that basketball careers — even his — cannot last forever. 18, the day of his delayed season debut, in the corner of the visitors locker room at the Utah Jazz 's Delta Center — an arena that James has played in so long that its name has changed from the Delta Center to EnergySolutions Arena to Vivint Smart Home Arena to Vivint Arena back to the Delta Center — ESPN presented him with a story proposal.
You're going to mess my parlay up!" I'm like, "The f—, bro." Like, that's the last thing I want to f—ing hear. It worked in our favor, but it wasn't like I was going into the game saying, "I know I can antagonize Draymond and get Draymond out of here so he won't play in Game 5." … Obviously I don't know what they did behind closed doors, but I can say that when I see them, still to this day — except the late, great Moses — it's been the same energy every single time.
Analysis: Why This Matters
This story matters because LeBron James can change the trajectory of a season — and a franchise.
Key Takeaways
- A: The best guys that were in my corner when I first came out of the draft were J-Kidd, Moses Malone, Ken Griffey Jr., Gary Payton.
- Q: The DeShawn Stevensons, Lance Stephensons, Jae Crowders, Dillon Brookses of the world, do they add to the show?
- Because when I came in, I don't think that Big Shot Bob Horry, Big Shot Bob didn't have seven yet.
Expect more reactions from coaches, players, and analysts as the story unfolds.
Source: ESPN Sports