LeBron James’ retirement is coming closer to being a reality. That opens up discussions around what the King is going to do next and how he’s going to manage the next stage of his life.
He was seen at the Los Angeles Clippers’ facility last season, before picking up his player option, and that sent a lot of the media into a frenzy. Former NBA players Olden Polynice and Byron Scott sat down on Byron Scott’s Fast Break podcast and discussed the situation James finds himself in.
“I don’t want to throw the word of the day out there, which is narcissistic, but it’s along those lines. He has to stay talked about, he has to stay in the media, that’s all it is. He knew what he was doing.” Former NBA Center Olden Polynice said about James’ Clippers’ visit.
Later on, James’ agent and business partner, Rich Paul, clarified that the Lakers star will exercise his $52.6 million option and stay put with the Los Angeles Lakers. Polynice broke down his thought process, trying to stir a media frenzy.
“He’s [LeBron] is like, ‘I’m gonna go over to the Clippers facility, even though we have our own facility. Even though I’m LeBron James. I can get into any facility I want in the world, right? Just like he’s about to do this haircut for Kai Cenat,” Polynice added.
The former center is referring to twitch streamer Kai Cenat’s claims that if he hits a million subscribers, he’ll get LeBron James on the stream and shave on camera. Media engagements like these are necessary for James to stay relevant as basketball will soon be gone, contends Polynice.
“You’re doing what? Come on, dude, just go on a vacay,” concluded the former center. James has also been seen playing golf, which players have started picking up earlier, but still carries an image that golf is an old man’s sport and is played by those with the most time.
“It did trip me out when you said he’s working out at the Clippers facility. I was like, ‘What?’ Because if you turn that around, I guarantee you, Kawhi Leonard couldn’t work out at the Lakers’ facility,” said Byron Scott, another important role player from the ’90s.
James is set to go into his 23rd year and is still one of the fittest athletes in the league. He spends a lot of his time, effort, and energy staying healthy and keeping his body ready for the onslaught of an entire NBA season. But still, questions around his intent and how long he can continue this keep popping up from the NBA world.
“The one thing I’ve always hated about LeBron is that when they win, it’s all him. But when they lose, it’s all them. I’ve always hated that narrative. We could have spoken more to his greatness if one day he had said, ‘That’s on me,’ just one time, ‘That’s on me.’ And to me, that’s the problem,” Polynice opined.
Despite the ongoing criticism, James has not let his game drop, even at this late stage. He played 70 games last season, averaging 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.98 rebounds, while playing 34.9 minutes per game.
No matter what is going on off the court, the 40-year-old King continues to amaze people once he steps between those white lines.
