LeBron James thought about retiring after last season.
The four-time NBA champion said he ended his fifth year with the Los Angeles Lakers, wondering if he wanted to play again.
The 38-year-old James revealed his self-doubt during Wednesday night’s “ESPY Awards,” where he was honored for breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record.
“When the season ended, I said I wasn’t sure if I was gonna keep playing, and I know a lot of experts told you guys what I said, but I’m here now speaking for myself,” James said.
The 6-foot-9 inch James last year said he wanted to play until the 2024-2025 season, when his oldest son, Bronny, would be a rookie in the NBA. Bronny signed earlier this spring with the University of Southern California to play college basketball and likely will turn pro after his freshman season.
“In that moment, I’m asking myself if I can still play without cheating the game. Can I give everything to the game still? Truth is, I’ve been asking myself this question at the end of the season for a couple years now. I just never openly talked about it,” James said.
“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?’ The day I can’t give everything on the floor is the day I’ll be done. Lucky for you guys, that day is not today,” he added.
James was limited to 55 games out of 82 last season because of injuries. He averaged 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game and shot 50 percent from the field. The Lakers reached the NBA Western Conference finals, losing to the eventual champion Denver Nuggets.
“Every time I step foot on the floor, I want to give it everything. I do it for myself,” James said. “I do it for some of my teammates that I’ve had before and now. And I do it for all the greats that came before me. And more importantly — or most importantly — I do it for the fans, the lovers of the game.
“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.”
As he chases a fifth NBA title, the Lakers have rebuilt around James and All-Star forward Anthony Davis. Los Angeles acquired former Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent as a free agent and also kept guards D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, and Austin Reaves. Center Jaxson Hayes, forward Cam Reddish, and forward Taurean Prince were signed to further upgrade their depth.