Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James reportedly needs warm weather to help rehab his strained back and knee. He spent some of the week rehabbing in Miami and plans to travel with the team on their five-game road trip out west, according to ESPN.
James hasn't been the same since Christmas, when he seemingly strained his back and his knee. He struggled in the two games after Dec. 25, and eventually it was decided to sit him out. He's missed six games so far and hasn't traveled with the team, instead spending some of last week rehabbing in Miami because of the warm weather, which the team medical staff believes will help his injuries.
The four-time MVP said he rehabbed three to four times a day in Miami, and with the team set to begin their road trip out West on Friday, James can travel with the team.
"It helps that we're going to some warmer cities, so my body could use that as well," James said Wednesday, via ESPN. "It's difficult for sure, not being with the guys, and me being a team guy, and a camaraderie guy, it was difficult for sure. ... I hate missing games. You just look at my record and my resume of missing games, it's been one of the toughest things for me. But I just had to listen to my body, listen to the docs, listen to my trainer, and that's what we came up with."
He also was recently re-evaluated by team doctors, who believe he's progressing.
"I'm on a program right now. I feel good. Week 1 is complete and I got one more left, they say," James said. "If everything continues to go well, I'm on target, I'm on pace, I'm feeling better every day."
