LeBron James, the NBA star and all-time leading scorer, put an end to speculation about his future by affirming that he is not yet ready to retire and continues to have a passion for basketball. Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ loss in the Western Conference final to the eventual champions, James had mentioned considering his options, leading to rumors of a possible departure from the sport.
However, during the ESPY awards ceremony, James dispelled any concerns about his retirement plans. Receiving the award for Best Record-Breaking Performance for becoming the league’s all-time leading scorer, James stated, “The real question for me is: Can I play without cheating this game? The day I can’t give everything on the floor is the day I’ll be done.
Lucky for you guys, that day is not today.” He expressed his dedication to the game and emphasized never cheating or taking it for granted. Despite dismissing the notion of playing alongside his sons in the NBA, James mentioned that coaching them has kept his enthusiasm alive.
He credited the pure love of the game and his sons’ involvement for motivating him to continue playing. James acknowledged his contemplation about his future after the Lakers’ loss to the Nuggets, revealing that he had been privately asking himself similar questions in previous seasons. Notably, James had signed a two-year contract extension with the Lakers in August, ensuring his presence with the team until the 2024-2025 season.
