For all the talk about LeBron James being one of the most durable players ever, he has never played every game in a regular season. Not once. Not with the Cleveland Cavaliers and not in Miami when he played for the Heat for four seasons.
But this year could be different. This time, James is aiming to play all 82 games.
The Cavaliers were struggling to play consistent basketball for some time, then Kevin Love was injured, and then the new players came in. So much was happening during the season that resting James was not an option.
Cavs coach Tyronn Lue thinks James is playing every game to set an example to his teammates.
“I just think being the leader of this team, I don’t think he thinks he can take games off, because, you know, guys being hurt and going through a rough patch, and now new guys coming in,” Lue said prior to the game versus the Memphis Grizzlies Friday night, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
“So, I think he’s trying to lead and lead by example … I think we still got to be smart about the situation, but [the training staff] say he feels good.”
Durable players are a dying breed in the NBA. Superstars have been missing plenty of games due to various injuries. And even when players didn’t have any injuries, they are hardly allowed to play in every game anymore so the coach can give them more rest during the season. This was something that San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich infamously brought in style when he started resting his star players when the playoffs drew near.
James, however, says he wants to play all 82 games for the Cavs this year.
“I told you I want to play every game,” James said. “If my health continues as it is right now, then that’s what it is.”
The Cavs won 112-89 versus the Grizzlies, the 58th straight game that James has played. The 33-year old forward recorded his 11th triple-double of the season with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists in 37 minutes of play.
James came close to playing every game during the 2008-09 season when he appeared in the first 81 games but sat out the finale to get some rest heading into the playoffs.