LeBron James Hasn't 'Felt Great All Year,' Talks Recent Cavaliers Trades

CLEVELAND — Whether judged visually or empirically, LeBron James hasn't consistently appeared to be quite the same player as he'd been the past four seasons with the Heat. Many logical reasons were referenced, from acclimating to a new system and new teammates to moving farther away from the basket than he'd been while playing more power forward in Miami.

But you couldn't rule out the physical component completely, particularly as he pressed up against his 30th birthday, which came Dec. 30. Wednesday, prior to missing his sixth straight game due to back and knee strains, James told reporters that he had finally stopped ignoring it himself.

"I haven't felt great all year," James said. "I've had spurts where one or two games I felt good, and after that, I was just pushing through it, just being the competitive guy I am and wanting to be out there for my teammates. I feel better right now than I [have] for the majority of the season."That feeling has come after a full week on a rigorous rehabilitation program that has had him working with trainers three or four times per day but not picking up a basketball. James said that, after that week, he feels like he is "on pace" to return after another week.

If the Cavaliers were in the playoffs right now, rather than just reeling with a 19-16 record, entering Wednesday's tip with the visiting Rockets?"Yeah, of course I would play," James said. "I would have played a week ago if it was a playoff game. ... I hate missing games."

James said he believed the back and knee problems were related. "I just finally listened to my body, ultimately," James said. "I was affecting my game. And once I see my game being affected by my stubbornness, I had to just look myself in the mirror and understand I had to do something that was best for me as well. It was one of the hardest, one of the smartest, decisions I've made."

While he's been out, the Cavaliers have made some other decisions, making two trades that cost them guard Dion Waiters and future assets to bring in guards J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, plus center Timofey Mozgov. James said he hadn't had a chance to talk to Waiters but that "losing brothers"—he also included Alex Kirk, Lou Amundson and the waived A.J. Price—"is always a tough thing."


Source http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2322745-lebron-james-hasnt-felt-great-all-year-talks-recent-cavaliers-trades