LeBron James bullish about his health, Lakers potentially being in the play-in tournament

Back when he made his first return from a high right ankle sprain after missing the previous 20 games, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James revealed, that "I’ll never get back to 100% in my career." But after playing two games, then missing an additional six to heal emerging soreness, James returned for Saturday’s 122-115 win over the Indiana Pacers with clarity both on his comments and on his health.

"Whatever I say gets blown out context," James said. "What I was saying is that as soon as I step foot on the NBA floor for the first time, I went to 99.9%. You don’t ever feel as great as you felt the first time you stepped out there. So I was saying I would never be able to get to 100%. That time has passed me. But for me playing at a high level, I can always do that and be at 99."

Back when the Lakers experienced struggles with their performances and injuries, James criticized the NBA for implementing a play-in tournament during its condensed 72-game season. James argued that "whoever came up with that (expletive) needs to be fired." But with the Lakers (41-30) still facing uncertainty on whether they will begin the playoffs as a sixth seed or participate in a play-in tournament as a seventh seed, James shifted his thoughts on the varying scenarios.

"Let the chips fall where they may," James said. "Simple as that. We’re ready to go."

NBA ESSENTIALS:SCORES | SCHEDULE | STANDINGS

Source: Read Full Article