After two decades of dominating the league, LeBron James has shifted his focus entirely to what matters most — playoff success. With a historic list of accomplishments that includes four MVP awards, a scoring title, an assist title, and an unprecedented 21 All-Star selections, James has little left to prove in the regular season.
Now in his 22nd NBA season, the Los Angeles Lakers star is eyeing only one thing: another championship ring.
Playoffs Are the Goal: “It’s a Drug”
On a recent episode of his Mind the Game podcast, LeBron opened up about his mindset heading into the postseason.
“At this point in my career, the regular season is fun and cool, but I only care about the playoffs,” James said. “It’s all about the process — and when you know you have a team that can really compete, it becomes about chasing that title.”
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LeBron emphasized that while winning it all is never guaranteed, having a team capable of making a deep run, especially now with Luka Dončić as a teammate, makes the grind worth it.
“You need a bit of luck in the playoffs, yes, and you’ve got to play near-perfect basketball. But the feeling of competing at that level — playoff basketball — it’s definitely a drug. For sure,” he added.
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Lakers Face Critical Game 2 vs. Timberwolves
Despite LeBron’s intense focus, his Lakers stumbled in their postseason opener, suffering a 22-point loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Game 1 blowout has now put pressure on Los Angeles to bounce back in Game 2.
A strong response would not only keep their playoff hopes alive but also send a strong message to the league that LeBron James and the Lakers are still serious contenders.
What’s at Stake for LeBron James
With four NBA championships already to his name, LeBron is still chasing a fifth title — a feat that would add to his already legendary legacy and potentially reignite the GOAT debate.
As the postseason unfolds, all eyes are on him once again. And if there’s one thing history has taught us, it’s never count out LeBron James in playoff mode.