LeBron James said he will take time to consider his future after the Los Angeles Lakers were swept out of the NBA playoffs by Oklahoma City on Monday in what could turn out to be the final game of his career. James, 41, delivered a typically defiant performance with 24 points and 12 rebounds but it was not enough to prevent the Lakers from falling 115-110 as the Thunder completed a 4-0 sweep in the Western Conference semi-finals series.
Free Agency Looms
The four-time NBA champion is now out of contract with the Lakers and will head into the off season as a free agent with uncertainty swirling around his future. Some reports have indicated James is ready to extend with the Lakers for what would be a 24th season in the NBA, while others have suggested that he may consider heading elsewhere or finally decide to retire from the sport.
James gave little away Monday when quizzed about his plans following a loss in Los Angeles in front of a galaxy of courtside Hollywood stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn and Eddie Murphy. “I don’t know what the future holds for me,” James said. “Obviously as it stands right now, tonight, I’ve got a lot of time. I’ll go back and recalibrate with my family and talk with them, and spend some time with them, and then when the time comes, obviously you guys will know what I decide to do.”
Commitment to the Process
James said whether he continues could hinge on whether he felt committed to the grind of playing at the highest level. “I think for me, it’s about the process — you know, if I can commit to still being in love with the process of showing up to the arena five-and-a-half hours before a game to start preparing.”
Whatever James decides, the veteran superstar feels that he has nothing left to prove after a career that has included a plethora of milestones and records that may never be broken. “There’s nothing I need to show in this league,” James said. “I’ve done it all, I’ve seen it all. So you know, just trying to compete and trying to win championships, I think that’s a motivating factor.”
Here are some key points to consider about James’ future:
- James is a four-time NBA champion and has been named the NBA Most Valuable Player four times.
- He has been selected to the NBA All-Star team 19 times and has been named to the All-NBA First Team 13 times.
- James is the all-time leading scorer in the NBA playoffs and has led his team to the NBA Finals nine times.
While James contemplates his future, the reigning NBA champions Oklahoma City are looking ahead to a Western Conference finals showdown with either the San Antonio Spurs or Minnesota Timberwolves for a place in the NBA finals. The Spurs and Timberwolves are tied at 2-2 in their best-of-seven semi-final series.
