LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers forward and four-time NBA champion, declared that he has nothing left to prove as he enters his 22nd NBA season. With his legacy cemented, James is still eager for the upcoming season, where he will achieve a long-held dream of playing alongside his son, Bronny James.
Having powered Team USA to gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, securing his third Olympic title, James reflected on his career. “Is there anything left for me to accomplish as a basketball player? No,” he told reporters at the Lakers’ training camp. “Everything else is extra credit. I’ll take it though. I love it. I love what I do. But I’ve got everything.”
This season is particularly special as James will be sharing the court with his 19-year-old son, Bronny, who was selected by the Lakers with the 55th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. James, who turns 40 in December, called practicing with his son “amazing.”
The Lakers will be coached by first-time head coach JJ Redick, with LeBron saying he will serve as an “extension of the coaching staff on the floor,” leading both by example and with his commanding voice.
After a disappointing first-round playoff loss to the Denver Nuggets last season, James stressed the need for the Lakers to improve their transition defense and hold each other accountable. The Lakers begin their season on October 17, hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves.