LeBron James
Getty
LeBron James has earned over $580 million in his pro career
LeBron James has a message for anyone who has ever doubted him.
After playing in his first back-to-back of the season on Tuesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers star took to Instagram with a pointed statement directed at his critics.
“No matter if you LOVE or HATE me you will REMEMBER me,” James wrote on Instagram.
That is about as direct as it gets.
James had just finished putting up 31 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds in the Lakers’ 141-116 blowout win over the Atlanta Hawks. It was his first time playing in both games of a back-to-back this season, a milestone that came after weeks of careful load management as he works his way back from sciatica that sidelined him for the first 14 games of the season.
At 41 years old, James is not just playing. He is thriving. And he wants everyone to know it.
ClutchPoints
“No matter if you LOVE or HATE me you will REMEMBER me 👑”
LeBron James’ latest IG post 😲
(via @KingJames)
Why LeBron James Playing Back-to-Backs Is a Big Deal
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers
GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers
For most players, playing back-to-back games is routine. For James, it is a calculated decision.
The 41-year-old has the most minutes in NBA history. His body has been through more wear and tear than any player in league history. The plan for James this season was to gradually work his way up to playing back-to-backs, and Tuesday marked the first time he felt comfortable doing so.
Even then, James made it clear that playing in back-to-backs is not a given for the rest of the season.
“Every back-to-back for the rest of the season is TBD,” James said last week. “I am 41. I got the most minutes in NBA history. Bank it right now, okay?”
That is James being honest about where he is in his career. He knows his body better than anyone, and he is not going to push himself unnecessarily during the regular season. The Lakers would rather have him available in the postseason than risk injury by overworking him now.
But when James does play, he is still elite. In the month of January, he is averaging 27.7 points, 7.8 assists, and 7.7 rebounds per game. Since turning 41 on December 30, those numbers have jumped to 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game.
No one has ever sustained this level of success at James’ age.
Bleacher Report
“Every back-to-back for the rest of the season is TBD. I am 41.”
LeBron on back-to-back games 😭
(via @SpectrumSN)
JJ Redick Defends LeBron James Against Critics
Lakers coach JJ Redick
GettyJJ Redick is the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick had strong words for anyone who questions James’ commitment or work ethic.
“His competitive stamina is off the charts,” Redick said after Tuesday’s win. “It’s actually unfortunate how much this guy puts into it and how much he cares and the way certain people talk about him. It’s crazy. Come be around him every day and see how much this guy cares. It’s off the charts.”
Oh No He Didn't
Must listen: JJ’s rant about the perception around LeBron…
“His competitive stamina is off the charts. It’s actually unfortunate how much this guy puts into it and how much he cares and the way certain people talk about him. It’s crazy. Come be around him every day and see how
That is a direct shot at the critics who have questioned whether James is still capable of playing at a high level. Redick sees James every single day. He watches him prepare. He watches him recover. And he sees the work that goes into staying at this level at 41 years old.
The preparation for back-to-backs is especially intensive. James has an extensive recovery process that includes ice baths, massage therapy, stretching routines, and careful monitoring of his body. He does not take shortcuts, and he does not leave anything to chance.
That is why Redick was so adamant in defending him. James is not coasting. He is putting in the work, and the results speak for themselves.
Dave McMenamin
LeBron James went through his game day checklist to play in his first back-to-back of the season Tuesday: ✅ Cold tub ✅ Hyperbaric chamber ✅ Nap ✅ Normatec ✅ Activation ✅ Stretching ✅ Rehabbing ✅ Lifting ✅ Pregame meal
What LeBron James Said About His Legacy
After Tuesday’s game, James reflected on what he hopes his career means to the people who have followed him.
“I just hope that once I’m done that I made an impact for the people that follow my career and watch me,” James said. “My fans that’s been locked down with me for over 23 years, since I started this journey as a high school freshman. That’s all that matters, is, you know, my crew that’s been with me, and everything else doesn’t matter.”
That statement cuts to the heart of why James posted what he did on Instagram. He knows he has critics. He always has. But he also knows that his legacy is secure.
James has been under a microscope since he was a teenager. No player in NBA history has had as many eyes on their career, and no player has faced as much scrutiny. There have always been people hoping he would fail. And yet, here he is in his 23rd season, still putting up numbers that most players half his age cannot match.
The Instagram post was not arrogance. It was confidence. James knows what he has accomplished, and he knows that no amount of criticism will change that.
Hoop Central
LeBron James:
“I just hope that once I’m done that I made an impact for the people that follow my career and watch me…That’s all that matters, my crew that’s been with me and everything else doesn’t matter.” ✊
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)
What the Lakers Need From LeBron James Moving Forward
The Lakers are currently 24-14 and sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference.
That is a solid record, but the team has lost three of their last four games. They need consistency down the stretch if they want to secure a top-four seed and avoid the play-in tournament.
James playing in back-to-backs when his body allows it would be a huge boost. But the Lakers are not going to force it. They would rather have him healthy for the playoffs than run him into the ground during the regular season.
The good news is that James looks as good as he has all season. His January numbers are elite, and his performance against the Hawks was a reminder that he can still take over games when needed.
If James can stay healthy and continue playing at this level, the Lakers have a real chance to make noise in the postseason. And if he does, that Instagram post will look even more prescient.
Final Word for the Lakers
LeBron James’ Instagram post was not just a message to his critics.
It was a reminder of what he has accomplished over 23 years. It was a statement of confidence in what he is still capable of at 41 years old. And it was a declaration that no matter what anyone says, his legacy is secure.
James has been doubted his entire career. And yet, here he is, still dominating at an age where most players have long since retired. He is averaging over 26 points per game since turning 41. He just played in his first back-to-back of the season and put up 31 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds.
That is not a player who is washed. That is a player who is still elite.
The critics will always be there. But so will James. And when his career is over, everyone will remember him—just like he said.