James stays tuned in during rehab
LOS ANGELES ❯❯ Angelenos have all been raiding their closets lately dealing with the unseasonably seasonal cold weather. LeBron James' Sunday ensemble included a tan turtleneck sweater.
But amid the brisk conditions, James wasn't wearing boots — even the protective one he's been sporting on his right foot since injuring it on Feb. 26.
That had to seem a positive sign for a Lakers team that has been winning well enough without James, but would still love to have him back sooner rather than later. The 38-year-old was injured when he was still enjoying an outstanding individual season, averaging 29.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.9 assists.
Technically, James is due for reevaluation in roughly two weeks. There are four weeks left to the regular season, which ends on April 9. If the Lakers stay in the playin range, James would be quite the weapon in a winor-go-home scenario.
Coach Darvin Ham was close to the vest discussing James' progress: “Everything is going according to plan.”
James has now missed seven consecutive games, but he hadn't attended two games — wins over Memphis and Toronto — in a row before arriving Sunday evening. The Lakers said James was excused for medical reasons during his rehab from his tendon injury.
Ham suggested that the absence over the past week was a positive in terms of allowing James some space from his demands this season.
From the team's rough start, to carrying the Lakers when Davis was injured, to chasing down the all-time scoring record, to his presence as a father in his oldest son's senior year, Ham pointed out the mental toll that can take, even on a superstar as seasoned as James.
“It's also good for him to unplug a little bit — not be detached necessarily, but just mentally get a little bit of a calming to everything that's transpired over the year,” he said. “It's been a lot. So it's not just about him getting healthy, it's about him being in a good place mentally and spiritually so we get the best version of him when he returns.”
While James has only played three games since the trade deadline (all wins), he has been engaged with the team: After their Friday win over Toronto, James posted scores of highlights to his Instagram story even though he was not physically present. At Sunday's game, he showcased the handshakes and rapport he's developed with his new teammates in spite of not being on the floor with them.
Davis said James texted the group after the last game with insights and observations, and most of all he's been impressed with the chemistry.
“He's seen it. He can tell. He watches enough basketball,” Davis said. “We talked after the Memphis game ... texting us, `Great win,' things that he sees. So he's involved even though he's getting healthy.”