LeBron James still confident despite Lakers' struggles, injuries

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated Mar 2, 2022 11:49 AM ET

Two things are clear no matter how you look at it: The Lakers aren't very good, and LeBron James isn't as spry as he used to be.

Despite a number of lingering injuries and L.A. being as far down in the standings as it is, the 18-time All-Star insists he won't pack it in on the season.

"Until you stomp me out, cut my head off, bury me 12 feet under, then I got a chance," James told ESPN. "So that's my confidence."

James' entire tenure with the Lakers has been peppered with various ailments, although this season the cracks are really showing. The four-time MVP sat out prior to the All-Star break due to swelling in his left knee — a malady James himself said will only get better with rest.

Being the competitor that James is, he appears as committed as he can be to seeing the Lakers through the end of the 2022 campaign, even with as bad as they are right now.

L.A. has only won three of its last 10 games and is teetering on the edge of falling out of contention for the play-in tournament. Things are so bad for the Lakers that their home fans booed them off the court during Tuesday's loss to the Dallas Mavericks. James said after that game that he couldn't blame the fans for jeering him and his teammates.

Now, it still remains to be seen if James' injury woes will catch up to him and force him to the sidelines once again. For the time being, though, his competitive spirit is pushing him along.

"Obviously, at the end of the day, we got to come in here and win ballgames, and we got to play better. But as long as we've got more games to play, we should have a chance," James said. "So, that's my confidence. I hate losing."

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