LeBron James, contrary to popular belief, says a long layoff from playing basketball isn’t going to benefit his 35-year-old body.
“It’s actually the opposite for me,” James revealed Thursday, adding that the NBA’s sudden work stoppage due to the coronavirus global pandemic halted his building momentum as the postseason approached.
James will begin working out with his personal trainer Monday, two weeks after the Los Angeles Lakers were all tested for COVID-19.
Per The LA Times:
“It’s actually the opposite for me,” James said. “My body when we stopped playing was like ‘what the hell are you doing?’”
He was a guest on the [“Road Trippin’”] podcast that regularly features his former teammates Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye, along with Spectrum SportsNet studio host Allie Clifton.
“The only timeline that we’ve been given as far as training is that I will be allowed to work out with Mike Mancias again on Monday, which will be the two weeks away from the quarantine they put us on after we all got tested after the Nets had four guys who tested positive,” James said. “… I’ve just been training. I’ve been training five days a week and staying ready. What they always say. Stay ready when your number’s called.”
James said less training might work if the only goal was to finish the regular season, but players’ bodies would need time to adjust before the playoffs.
“My body was like, ‘Hey, man, what the hell is going on? It’s March 13. You’re getting ready for the playoffs. Why are you shutting down?’” James said. “I was right there turning the corner. I feel like I was on third base.”
Related LeBron James: NBA Shouldn’t Go ‘Straight to the Playoffs’
