Cleveland Cavaliers Could Reduce LeBron James’ Minutes

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt says the team is conscious about the heavy minutes LeBron James has played in the past.

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During LeBron James’ first tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the NBA icon routinely played upwards of 42 minutes per game. That total was reduced a bit when he signed with the Miami Heat as he averaged ‘only’ 37 minutes a game in South Beach.

Even with the five minute per game reduction, 37 minutes per game was quite a bit – especially given LeBron James has averaged 39 minutes a game for his career.

That’s a lot of wear and tear on a player, especially one who plays so deep into the postseason. That’s why Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt is a bit concerned regarding the minutes of LeBron James and suggested the team will watch how much time James receives.

“I don’t have a number but I am cognizant of the fact and we are conscious of the fact that, certainly early on 39 minutes a game is a lot,” Blatt said following practice Sunday. “We gotta keep our wits about us in terms of thinking long term with LeBron.”

Barring an increadible oddity, the Cleveland Cavaliers are not only going to make the postseason but will be a high seed in doing so. Given that there’s really little reason to overwork LeBron James as the Cavs will need him the most once the playoffs come around.

For what it’s worth, LeBron James has never played a season in which he averaged less than 37:31 which was his second year with the Miami Heat. It’s questionable if he’ll play any less than that for the Cavaliers this season, though it may be in the best interest of the franchise (and James himself) to reduce that digit even further.

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach David Blatt says the team is conscious about the heavy minutes LeBron James has played in the past.

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