LeBron James’ face has again contorted into the ultra-serious, tight-eyed, clenched-jaw expression we’ve seen so many times over the last two decades.
He has become Playoff Bron. The mercenary on the court. The unstoppable freight train.
He has morphed into the superhero caricature who has taken 10 teams to the NBA Finals, winning four championships.
That’s not the look of a man whose mind is wandering. That’s not the look of a man who’s about to retire. That’s not the look of a man who wants out.
James has said all season he’s not sure about his future. But his body language is screaming something else.
After losing the team’s top two scorers in Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique), he averaged 24 points (56.3% shooting from the field, 50% from beyond the 3-point line) and 9.7 assists in the team’s next three games.
Then, in Game 1 of the Lakers’ first-round playoff series against the Rockets, he finished with 19 points (60% shooting from the field, 50% from beyond the arc), eight rebounds, 13 assists, two steals and one blocked shot in the Lakers’ 107-98 win.
He has poured all of his 23 years of experience into being the conductor of the Lakers’ offense, making a bunch of role players and G Leaguers look organized and brilliant. And he’s doing it at age 41.
He’s too good. He’s having too much fun.
And he’s making his detractors look too dumb.
Back in late January, after the Lakers lost to the Cavaliers, James had one of his most revealing interviews of the season.
He opened up about his thought process, saying he wants to see “how much juice I can squeeze out of this orange.” He added, “I’m in a battle with Father Time, and I’m taking it personal. And I’m [going to] see how many more times I could be victorious over him.”
The war is still raging. And James is still dominating.
Heck, as you read in this column before, if James leads the depleted Lakers past the Rockets at this stage in his career, that will be his greatest accomplishment. Arguably the greatest player of all-time could be on the verge of his most spectacular feat.
He’s not ready to fade away from our consciousnesses. He’s not ready to cede the spotlight. He’s still front and center.
James has always said he’s going to keep playing so long as there’s gas left in the tank.
He has said he’s going to keep going as long as he’s mentally engaged. Does he seem like someone who’s ready to go to Cancun to you?
James is as locked in as ever. Heck, even NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who’s incredibly careful with his words, didn’t hold back when asked for his thoughts on James’ future.
“I have not talked to him since the (regular) season ended,” Silver said in a recent appearance on “The Carton Show.” “I have every indication that he plans to keep playing next season.”
It’s obvious to him. It’s obvious to me. It’s obvious to you.
Sure, James has expressed that he’s not sure if he wants a retirement tour.
But he’s also the guy who announced he was taking his talents to Miami in an over-the-top television special in 2011. He’s the guy who proclaimed himself the greatest player ever after orchestrating a stunning 3-1 series comeback against the Warriors in the 2016 Finals.
He deserves to be celebrated. And his fans deserve the opportunity to celebrate him.
He’s not going to quietly sail into the sunset. He’s the sun. When it sets, it’s going to be a once-in-a-generation event.
James may have had a foot out the door during the Big 3s early struggles this season. He may have wondered why he was still doing this after an ESPN story came out in January alleging that Lakers governor Jeanie Buss had a myriad of frustrations with him and even pondered trading him.
James fell back in love. It’s obvious. It’s palpable.
He reinvented himself as the team’s third option in March, making the Lakers’ offense soar. He helped lead LA on a 16-2 run. He spent his off days golfing with his teammates. He marveled at playing alongside his son, Bronny.
“I mean, s—, I was on the floor with my son in a playoff game,” James said Saturday. “That’s probably the craziest thing that’s ever happened to me in my career.”
And with the way he’s playing, he may make the Lakers loosen their purse strings more than they anticipated during his upcoming free agency.
James, who’s earning $52.6 million this season, will obviously have to take a significant salary cut if he chooses to re-sign with LA. But over the last two months, his value has skyrocketed.
He’s making the Lakers look good. He’s keeping them alive. And he’s fun as heck to watch.
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