Challenge to Keep LeBron James For Long Haul

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Published on September 29 2016 6:25 am
Last Updated on September 29 2016 6:25 am

By ESPN

The challenge for Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue in his first full season at the helm isn't just how to direct LeBron James when he's on the court but also figuring out a way to keep the 14-year veteran off it.

As Cavs training camp opens this week, Lue said maintaining James, 31, for the long haul is a priority.

"I've looked at the schedule," Lue said Wednesday. "Just seeing what makes sense and what's smart when playing four-in-five type of nights. Can't run our guys into the ground. We have to be smart, understand we have to take care of our bodies and take care of our key guys. Make sure that when we get to the playoffs we're ready to go."

The Cavs' schedule actually doesn't include any four-games-in-five-nights scenarios as Lue mentioned, but it features plenty of three-in-four obligations as well as two five-in-seven stretches: one from Dec. 20-26 and another from April 4-10, the latter of which will assuredly include rest dates for James as Cleveland prepares for the postseason.

James played a career-low 35.6 minutes per game last season, upping that workload in the playoffs to 39.1 minutes per game as he made his sixth straight trip to the Finals en route to winning the championship. This came a year after he took a two-week sabbatical in the middle of the regular season to rest his body and came back looking noticeably refreshed.

Considering the way James taking a step back in the regular season the past two years has seemingly allowed him to take two steps forward in the postseason, the four-time MVP was asked whether he has adjusted how he approaches the 82-game grind.

"I try to make myself available for my teammates every night, and I think I've had some pretty good coaches over the last few years, with Erik Spoelstra my last couple years there [in Miami] and now Coach Lue has done a great job of just trying to help me take care of my body," James said, "because I'm very stubborn when it comes to wanting to play."