LeBron is up for test

NBA bubble biggest challenge of superstar’s career

LEBRON James says leading the Los Angeles Lakers into the NBA Finals after nearly three months inside the league’s “bubble” in Orlando ranks as the biggest challenge of his career.

The 35-year-old superstar is readying for a 10th NBA Finals appearance today when the Lakers face the Miami Heat in the championship round of an unprecedented season that began 11 months ago.

The coronavirus pandemic forced the NBA to shut down in mid-March an danger over racism and police brutality almost prompted James and the Lakers to abandon the season in August. James, who is hoping to win a fourth championship ring with a third team after previous victories with Miami and Cleveland, said this year’s disjointed season ranked as the toughest of the lot.

“It’s probably been the most challenging thing I’ve ever done as far as a professional, as far as committing to something and actually making it through ,” James said .“But I knew when I was coming what we were coming here for. I would be lying if I sat up here and knew that everything inside the bubble, the toll that it would take on your mind and your body and everything else, because it’ s been extremely tough.

“But I’m here for one reason and one reason only and that’ s to compete for a championship. That was my mindset once I entered the bubble, once I entered the quarantine process the first two days. The main thing was for us to finish the season and compete for a championship .”

James who in July jokingly compared entering the bubble in Orlando to starting a prison sentence, said he had lost track of time in Florida.

“I don’ t even know how many days it is. However many days it is, it feels like five years,” he said.