LeBron: 'Old' Cavs benefiting from easier travel schedule
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the only team in the NBA with an average age over 30 (30.1). If any roster could use some extra rest now and then, it's them.
Cleveland concluded its four-game road trip at 3-1 following a 115-107 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday at the Spectrum Center. Instead of flying out immediately after the game like they had in the past, the Cavaliers elected to spend the night where they were and depart the next morning.
LeBron James, who turns 33 on Dec. 30, is all for the adjustment, admitting he and his team need to take advantage of the easier travel schedule.
"We're old, man," said James, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "Whenever we get a chance to stay over for the night this season, we have to do that."
The Cavs' head athletic trainer, Steve Spiro, knows just how beneficial a solid night's rest can be for professional basketball players traveling all over the country for an 82-game slate.
"The biggest thing to recovery is sleep," said Spiro. "There isn't anything better, and for these guys that are taxing their bodies through travel and through their workload on the court and practice and extra work or whatever, we can have all the technology in the world but obviously a great night's sleep plays a role into performance. There's no doubt about it. So you have to have your finger on the pulse of it."
Commissioner Adam Silver shortened the preseason and moved up the start of the regular season to cut down on back-to-backs, freeing up more time for travel. The Cavaliers led the Association last season with 18 back-to-backs but will play only 13 in 2017-18.
James averaged 26.5 points on 52.6 percent shooting, 7.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 1.5 rejections during the road trip, getting Cleveland's record back above the .500 mark at 8-7.
They'll look to extend their winning streak to four games Friday when they return home to Quicken Loans Arena to host the Los Angeles Clippers.