レブロン、ＮＢＡ２０年目は記録より健康優先　新シーズン前に抱負

【エルセグンドＡＦＰ＝時事】米プロバスケットボール（ＮＢＡ）、ロサンゼルス・レイカーズのレブロン・ジェームズは２６日、レギュラーシーズンの通算得点数で歴代１位になる可能性がある２０年目のシーズンに備えている中で、けがをしないでいることが最優先であると強調した。（写真は米プロバスケットボール（ＮＢＡ）、ロサンゼルス・レイカーズのレブロン・ジェームズ）
　昨季は故障者と低調なプレーが合わさり、悲惨な結果に終わったレイカーズ。３７歳のジェームズ自身もわずか５６試合の出場にとどまった中で、再びチームをプレーオフに導く決意で新シーズンに臨む。
　この日行われたレイカーズのメディアデーでは、新シーズンは健康維持に力を注ぐと明かし、「とにかくプレー可能な状態でいること、それが最も重要だ」と語った。
　「確かにどうにもならないけがもあるが、それが自分の基本姿勢となる。自分はチームリーダーの一人として、このリーグでプレー可能であること、すなわちコートに立てることが最も重要だと思う」
　ジェームズは今年３月のワシントン・ウィザーズ戦で、カール・マローン氏を抜いてレギュラーシーズンの通算得点数で歴代単独２位に浮上した。
　２０２２－２３シーズンを迎える中で、同１位のカリーム・アブドゥル・ジャバー氏との差は１３２５点となっており、これまでの得点ペースを維持すれば新シーズン中の記録更新は確実とみられる。
　しかしながら、ジェームズ本人はレイカーズの伝説的選手であるアブドゥル・ジャバー氏の記録を抜くことにはこだわっていないとし、「記録を意識してプレーしたことは一度もない。とにかく、できる限り最高の状態でシーズンに入り、出られる状態にするだけだ」と語った。
　「とはいえ、ＮＢＡで最も欲しがられる記録を自分が破る寸前にいるというのは、非常に恐れ多いのと同時にクールでもある」【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2022/09/28-15:06）

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James said Monday staying injury free will be his priority as he prepares for a 20th season in the NBA which could see him break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record.
The 37-year-old heads into the campaign determined to lead the Lakers back to the playoffs after a dismal 2021-2022 season that saw the franchise's hopes torpedoed by a combination of injuries and poor form.
James, who played just 56 times last season, told reporters at the Lakers media day maintaining fitness would be his focus this season.
Just being available, that's what's most important, James said.
Obviously some injuries you can't control, but that's my whole mindset. For me as one of the leaders of the team, availability is the most important thing in this league - to be available on the floor.
James moved into second place in the NBA's regular season points scoring standings in March, overtaking Karl Malone during a game against the Washington Wizards.
He enters the 2022-2023 season 1,325 points behind all-time regular season points leader Abdul-Jabbar ? meaning that if he maintains his average points per game totals, the record should fall this season.
James said however that he does not obsess about surpassing Lakers legend Abdul-Jabbar's record.
- James 'in awe' of record -
The only time I've thought about it is when someone's posted something on my social media and I've been scrolling through my feed and I see it, James said.
And every single time I'm kind of in awe of it, like 'Wow'.
I've never played my career thinking about records, just making sure I'm in the best shape possible going into the season and being available.
But to sit here knowing I'm on the verge of breaking the most sought-after record in the NBA, is super humbling for myself and super cool
To be able to be in the same breath as (Abdul Jabbar) who wore this same uniform and was a staple of this franchise, it's super-duper dope to be in that conversation.
I'm not going to put too much pressure on (the record) throughout the season. But it's a historical moment when it gets there, and as long as my family and friends are there to see it, that's the most important thing.
James meanwhile spoke warmly about new Lakers coach Darvin Ham, the former Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach who replaced the sacked Frank Vogel in June.
Every single day it continues to get better and better and better, but I think the transparency that we have from the time he was granted the head coach here has been great, James said.
We've had multiple conversations, not only about the game of basketball but things off the floor as well. I think it was well overdue for him to be a head coach.
I'm happy to be part of his journey and try to do some special things.
James, who last month inked a two-year contract extension with the Lakers, added that he remained firmly committed to the franchise that he joined in 2018.
I came here because I believed in the franchise and I'm still here. It's literally that simple, James said.
I'm committed to the franchise as long as my contract is here. I look forward to get going tomorrow.