For LeBron James, retirement can wait.
James used the bright lights and big stage of the 2023 ESPY Awards to officially announce he’ll be returning for his 21st season in the NBA.
While being honored during the ESPN awards show for breaking the NBA’s all-time scoring record during the 2022-23 season, James, 38, addressed the elephant in the room.
“I don’t care how many more points I score, or what I can and cannot do on the floor. The real question for me is: Can I play without cheating this game?” James said. “The day I can’t give the game everything on the floor is the day I’ll be done.
“Lucky for you guys, that day is not today.”
The comment drew a loud ovation from the crowd inside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
James added: “Listen, you can love me and I know some of you hate me as well. But the one thing you will always do is respect me and appreciate the way I approach the game and what I’ve given to this game.”
After his Los Angeles Lakers were swept in the Western Conference finals by the Denver Nuggets, James hinted that retirement would be considered this offseason. He ended his news conference after the Game 4 loss by saying, “Going forward with the game of basketball, I’ve got a lot to think about.”
James, however, has stated he’d like to stay in the NBA at least until his oldest son, Bronny, enters the league. Bronny James just graduated high school and has committed to attend and play basketball at Southern California in the fall.
