"This change has to happen now" - LeBron James wants high school games in Ohio to be played at the same pace as they are in California
LeBron James, who just celebrated his 37th birthday and is currently in his 19th season playing pro ball, still keeps track of Ohio high school basketball. The former celebrated teenage phenom previously played junior basketball at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron.
But even after LeBron's jump from high school to the NBA, the thorny shot clock issue in his home state remains a hot topic of debate.
The LA Lakers franchise player recently commented on an observation about the shot clock from his good friend and Saint Ignatius High School basketball coach Cameron Joyce. After playing a few games in California, where the 35-second shot clock is enforced, Joyce tweeted that Ohio should adopt the same rule.
Here’s LeBron James' emphatic response to Cam Joyce's plea to the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA):
"I ABSOLUTELY AGREE!!! I played HS ball in Ohio and my boys play ball in Cali. The pace of the game is simply better and actually enhances the kids' minds! This CHANGE has to happen now in Ohio ASAP!"
I ABSOLUTELY AGREE!! I played HS ball in Ohio and now my boys play ball in Cali. The pace of the game is simply better and actually enhances the kids minds! This CHANGE has to happen now in Ohio ASAP! twitter.com/camknows_/stat…
California is one of nine states that are using a 35-second shot clock in high school games. LeBron James' kids, Bronny and Bryce James, play basketball for Sierra Canyon High School in Los Angeles, California. As such, his young ballers would have gotten used to the limited time for every ball possession.
The basketball GOAT candidate is certainly qualified to give an opinion on the shot clock debate. He played without one back in his day, and has been monitoring his sons' games with the shot clock implemented in their games.
During LeBron James' time and in the years since, Ohio hasn't adopted the use of a shot clock in high school basketball games. But the National Federation of State High School Associations recently made an announcement allowing the use of shot clocks if a state wished to do so.
It is now up to the OHSAA to decide whether to take cognizance of LeBron James’ appeal or continue with the existing tradition.
One of the biggest concerns about the use of a shot clock is the possibility of lopsided results in mismatches. An overmatched team can lose by a ton of points if there is a time limit to every possession.
Yessir big bro! Needs to happen ASAP!!! twitter.com/kingjames/stat…
The reasons for the non-use of shot clocks also include staffing and cost. LeBron James’ words have a ton of influence, but it’ll likely take more discussion for his plea to bear fruit.
What’s next for LeBron James and the LA Lakers?
The LA Lakers are currently on a five-game homestand. They are unbeaten so far, with back-to-back wins over the Portland Trail Blazers and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Coming up on their schedule are games against the Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks as well as a rematch against the Memphis Grizzlies.
LeBron James has led the Lakers to two consecutive wins and helped push the team’s record to 19-19. But despite the modest winning streak, the LA Lakers still have much to figure out.
They beat the Blazers, who have one of the worst defenses in the league, and struggled greatly against the Wolves who were without two of their top three players.
LeBron James 19th season:
28.5 PPG — highest since 2010
52.3 FG% — highest since 2018
37.4 3P% — highest since 2014
20.2 FGA — highest since 2008
1.8 SPG — highest since 2012
1.1 BPG — highest since 2009 https://t.co/hIzMl06QiO
The Lakers’ schedule is only going to get tougher as the season goes on. LeBron James is already playing more minutes than what should be required in a team stacked with former All-Stars.
The 17x All-Star is still defying Father Time, but will need all the help he can get to turn the Lakers' season around.