LeBron James may have been shut down for the rest of the season by the LA Lakers but he has still resisted the urge to put his feet up for the remainder of the campaign.
After failing to make the NBA play-offs in his debut year at the STAPLES Center, LeBron has been given the remainder of the season off as he continues to return to full fitness.
The former Cleveland star suffered a groin injury around Christmas that kept him out of 17 consecutive games, the longest streak he has ever missed with an injury.
LeBron James has been working out despite being shut down for the rest of the NBA season
His rehab saw him back in the gym on Monday though as he was filmed doing a T-Bar Row
And, with the Lakers staff already plotting for next season, they have given him some time off to fully recover.
‘He wants to play,’ Lakers coach Luke Walton told reporters before his side’s win in New Orleans on Sunday.
‘My understanding from the medical staff, they finally said, ‘Look, it’s just not worth it anymore. Let’s make sure you have a healthy summer.’ So that’s the decision that was made, and we’ll move forward without him on the floor for the final six.’
His rehabilitation saw him back at work in the gym on Monday though as he was filmed doing a T-Bar Row.
LeBron showed off his power and strength by lifting the heavy weight eight times before dropping it down, causing a loud bang in the gym.
James is the NBA’s fifth-leading scorer at 27.4 points per game, and he averaged 8.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists in his first season on the West Coast. He will accompany the Lakers on their upcoming trip to Oklahoma City, but the 16-year NBA veteran won’t play again in his first non-playoff season since 2005, his second year in the league.
LeBron was in attendance on the sideline for his side’s win in New Orleans on Sunday
He will accompany the Lakers on their upcoming trip to Oklahoma City but will play no part
He also confirmed on Monday he will not join Team USA for the FIBA World Cup in China this summer, but he has not ruled out competing in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
There was speculation that he may reconsider World Cup participation after the Lakers’ failure to reach the post-season, but James told The Athletic he never intended to join coach Gregg Popovich’s squad.
‘I love everything about Pop, obviously, but this is not a good summer for me,’ said James, whose busy summer schedule includes shooting the film ‘Space Jam 2.’
He added that playing for Popovich at Tokyo 2020 is ‘a possibility.’
‘It depends on how I feel. I love the Olympics,’ he told The Athletic.
It would be the fourth Summer Games for James, who won gold medals in 2008 and 2012 and a bronze in 2004.
