LeBron not a fan of load management: 'I'm healthy, I play'

A deep postseason run could be on the horizon for the Los Angeles Lakers, but LeBron James isn't interested in missing any games beforehand due to load management.

"If I'm hurt, I don't play. If not, I'm playing," James told ESPN's Dave McMenamin on Friday night. "That's what has always been my motto."

The controversial topic is back in the NBA spotlight after Los Angeles Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard sat out Wednesday's prime-time matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks due to load management.

While James is healthier than his L.A. counterpart, he did miss 17 games last season due to a groin injury and recently said that it was still "partially torn" when he returned to play.

James also led the league in minutes played per game during his last two seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016-2018).

Internal discussions have taken place within the Lakers organization about finding time to rest James, sources told McMenamin. However, the 34-year-old forward doesn't appear to be budging from his stance.

"Talk to my coaches," James said. "You know how many times me and T-Lue (Tyronn Lue) got into it in Cleveland when he wanted to sit me and I wanted to play. I'm healthy, I play. I probably got a good 45 years to not play basketball."

James has been excellent during the Lakers' 7-1 start to the 2019-20 campaign. The three-time Finals MVP is averaging 26 points, 7.8 boards, and an NBA-leading 10.5 assists in 35.1 minutes per game.

He posted three consecutive triple-doubles during the club's recent road trip, becoming the first Laker to accomplish that feat in 32 years. James' 25-point performance in Friday's win over the Miami Heat was the 1,000th time he scored 20-plus points, which ranks third all time.