LeBron James agent Rich Paul defended the superstar after Lakers legend Byron Scott criticized his claim that playing all 82 games today is tougher than in the past. Paul stressed that while elders deserve respect, the modern NBA's pace, style, and physical demands make LeBron's point valid.
Credit: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Rich Paul, agent of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, addressed the controversy sparked by former Laker champion Byron Scott after James said that playing all 82 games in today's NBA is harder than it was in the past.
LeBron James
LeBron James
LeBron James
MIN: 33.08
PTS: 21.57 (56.11%)
REB: 5.62
AS: 6.98
ST: 1.07
BL: 0.57
TO: 3.05
GM: 42
While Scott lashed out at James, even suggesting he should leave LA, Paul defended his client without directly attacking the former player.
"You can say or do something that looks or feels good in the moment, but looks foolish and probably is foolish and lives foolishly forever. For me, I was always taught to respect my elders. To respect everyone, but definitely to respect my elders," Paul said on the latest episode of the Game Over podcast with Max Kellerman.
At the same time, Paul acknowledged that respect has its limits when elders say or do things that are unfair or inaccurate.
"But then, someday I sit there and think, and I see things, and I'm like, but what about when your elders do things or say things that actually warrant disrespect. And it's been a lot of that going on."
Credit AP - Scanpix
Paul's comments put the spotlight on the reality of today's NBA. At 41 years old, LeBron is still averaging 21.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.0 assists this season.
Currently, the Lakers sit at 6th place in the Western Conference with a 36-24 record.
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