LeBron James: Kevin Durant will be 'even madder going into Game 3'
LeBron warns Durant will be 'even madder' heading into Game 3
Gary Payton predicts LeBron James will play at least one more year, citing his strong work ethic and desire to remain competitive. Payton believes LeBron's family comfort in Los Angeles will influence his decision to stay with the Lakers.
Mentioned in this story
âI think heâs going to do one more year,â said Payton in a one-on-one interview with R.org. âI think LeBron â because I know about his ego â he has to really feel that he canât play in this league anymore. I donât think he feels that way. I think he feels he can still dominate. But what the things that he does with his body is a lot different because what he does with his body is he takes care of it. Once he starts feeling it, I donât think heâs going to let himself go down. I donât think heâll let himself be looking like a fool or anything.â
âI think heâs going to do one more year,â said Payton in a one-on-one interview with R.org. âI think LeBron â because I know about his ego â he has to really feel that he canât play in this league anymore. I donât think he feels that way. I think he feels he can still dominate. But what the things that he does with his body is a lot different because what he does with his body is he takes care of it. Once he starts feeling it, I donât think heâs going to let himself go down. I donât think heâll let himself be looking like a fool or anything.â â 4/22/2026 R.Org Sports
âI think heâs got about one or two more years left in his body,â said Payton of James. âI donât think he wants to move anywhere. People talking about where heâs going to end up. Thatâs not what LeBron is about right now. I think itâs about comfortability, about how his daughter â which is the only one still left in the house â and how his wife wants to be. I donât think they want to be in the cold. I think they think theyâre very comfortable in and thatâs where theyâre going to be. â 4/22/2026
Gary Payton stated that he believes LeBron James will play one more year, emphasizing LeBron's competitive nature and dedication to his physical condition.
Payton suggests that LeBron's family comfort in Los Angeles and his desire for stability will lead him to remain with the Lakers.
LeBron is known for his rigorous work ethic and commitment to taking care of his body, which allows him to continue performing at a high level.
If LeBron plays another year, it could impact the Lakers' roster decisions and the overall dynamics of the NBA as he remains a significant player.
LeBron warns Durant will be 'even madder' heading into Game 3

Keko MartĂnez presenta su libro sobre el 'Capital Trascendente' y critica la acumulaciĂłn de capital sin sentido.
Discover how Reggie Sanders became MLB's standout player, reminiscent of Eric Davis.

El Arsenal empata a 70 puntos en la jornada 33, recordando un triste precedente.

Chema Andrés se destaca contra el Bayern y se prepara para la POKAL
Shohei Ohtani's impressive 53-game on-base streak comes to an end.
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
How do you explain LeBronâs finishing and dunking at this stage of his career? Marcus Smart: âRight now, heâs getting work. Heâs staying here. Heâs the last guy to leave the gym. We talk about his work ethic and how much he spends on his body. Thereâs a reason why heâs able to do this.â â 4/22/2026 Essentially Sports
The 2018 NBA Finals featured a loaded Golden State Warriors squad that swept Jamesâ Cleveland Cavaliers, back when the idea of doubling Durant regularly was foolish because of all the firepower and facilitating that surrounded him. Times have changed for Durant, though, and not for the better. âNo matter what play is called, no matter what action is called, or what side of the floor, theyâre gonna double-team, you know what Iâm saying?â Kevin Durant said. âNo matter if I catch it at the elbow or the block. So if a team doesnât mind double-teaming at half court, you donât think theyâre not gonna double-team everywhere else on the floor too? âSo ⊠when I see those doubles, because theyâre gonna come and guard me, and be aggressive, go to try to shoot over some of them, make the correct pass. But, yeah, Iâm not expecting them to not double me in certain areas of the floor. Regardless of where I get it at, I feel like itâs going to be two to three people on me. Iâve just got to be smarter and make the correct play. And then we got to make shots out of it.â â 4/22/2026 New York Times
NBA Base: Joe Budden predicts Drake will take shots at LeBron James on his upcoming âIcemanâ album. â 4/22/2026 Twitter
The NBA world is in the dark about LeBron James' future ... but if the King were to return to Cleveland for a final season, his old teammate tells TMZ Sports it would be "the coolest story." We caught up with Cavs champ Iman Shumpert at LAX this week ... and asked if he wants to see the kid from Akron go home (again) before retiring. â 4/22/2026 TMZ.com
Jorge Sierra: Jayson Tatum (age 28) has passed NBA legends Reggie Miller and Clyde Drexler in playoff scoring. Jrue Holiday moved ahead of Anthony Davis. Also: Scottie Pippen is now closer to Michael Jordan in playoff scoring than MJ is to LeBron James. Pippen is No. 20 all-time. â 4/22/2026 Twitter @hoopshype
Basketball Forever: VINTAGE LeBron James with 28 PTS, 8 REB, 7 AST as the Lakers get the 101-94 WIN over the Rockets & TAKE A 2-0 SERIES LEAD? ? Marcus Smart: 25 PTS, 7 AST, 5 STL â 4/22/2026 Twitter
Oh No He Didn't: Marcus Smart on what he saw from Lebron tonight: "Greatness man" â 4/22/2026 Twitter
Dave McMenamin: âYou guys seen the meme after Game 1. I can look at him and he can know what the hell Iâm talking aboutâ- LeBron James reveals Marcus Smart was who he was making nonverbal communication with in the series opener ? â 4/22/2026 Twitter @mcten
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Gary Payton on LeBron James: 'I think he's going to do one more year'