• Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss found peace after remembering her dad’s advice to deal with LeBron James’ potential retirement this summer
• James dropped the hint after getting swept by the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Western Conference Finals
• LeBron will be back for Year 21 and wear No. 23 for the Lakers in the 2023-24 season
LeBron James has remained one of the best players in the NBA for the last two decades. But after getting swept in the 2023 Western Conference Finals vs. the Denver Nuggets, James contemplated retirement.
Los Angeles Lakers owner Jeanie Buss was understandably worried about LeBron James’ retirement. Buss revealed how she dealt with it in an exclusive interview with Mark Medina of Sportskeeda.
“My dad [Jerry Buss] told me many times that no decision should be made after a loss in the playoffs,” Buss told Medina. “You give yourself time and space to reflect on things and not make any decisions in those kinds of moments.
“It was exactly how we treated LeBron – it was to give him his space and time that he needed to reflect and make his decision as to what is right for him.”
James confirmed at the 2023 ESPYS Awards that he’s not done yet and will return to play for the Lakers in the 2023-24 season. Buss believes it was James’ decision and she couldn’t force him to make it any sooner or later.
“Again, it was about giving him his space and letting him make his decision,” Buss continued. “But with the way he played last season, there was to me no reason for him to retire. But I can’t make up his mind. He has a contract. If he does play in the NBA, he’s a Laker. That part, I knew. But you can’t force somebody to play if they don’t want to play. It was really his decision to make.”
In the upcoming season, LeBron will don the iconic Purple and Gold jersey for the sixth year. James is coming on the heels of averaging 28.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 6.8 APG last season. So there’s optimism that he can still lead the team to an NBA title.
LeBron James Will Wear No. 23 Again
For the last two seasons, LeBron James wore No. 6 for the Los Angeles Lakers. It was the first time since his Miami Heat days that James wore that number.
However, for the 2023-24 NBA season, the King has announced switching back to No. 23. He made the decision to honor the passing away of NBA legend Bill Russell.
James previously wore No. 23 during his first three years with the Lakers and also led them to the 2020 title while wearing it. Can he do it again this season? We will find out soon.
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