I want to make a push to make the playoffs – LeBron James

LA Lakers talisman LeBron James has claimed that the next 23 matches of the regular season are the most important phase of his career. James said he wants to make a push to make the playoffs and wants his teammates to be as motivated as him after the All-Star break.

The Lakers currently have a 27-32 record and they are currently in 13th place in the Western Conference standings. In fact, the Lakers could not qualify for the playoff stages in the previous season and James will be looking to help his team make it to the play-in tournament on this occasion.

“It’s 23 of the most important games of my career, for a regular season,” James said Sunday before playing in a record-tying 19th All-Star Game. “It’s the type of mindset that I have, and I hope the guys will have, coming back off the break.”

James has won four NBA championships in his career and he has many NBA records under his belt, including the recently acquired most points landmark. However, the linchpin doesn’t want to have two consecutive seasons without playing in the postseason.

“I want to make a push to make the playoffs,” James said. “I don’t want to see myself not being part of the postseason for two years straight. It’s just not part of my DNA. We’re sitting up here talking about the [scoring] record and things of that nature, and that’s all cool, but I’m more passionate about trying to make the postseason and give ourselves a chance to compete for another Larry O’Brien Trophy. That’s just who I am. That’s what I’m cut from.”

The 38-year-old veteran feels they have the team that can win against any side if they qualify for the playoff stages.

“I’ve always been confident in any club that I’ve been on once we got into the playoffs that we can compete with anyone, and I feel no different now,” James said.

“With the roster the way we’re shaped up right now, if we can finish off this regular season on the right foot, then we can compete versus anyone in the Western Conference, if not the whole league. … If we can punch our ticket, we can compete versus anyone.”

The Lakers will face Golden State Warriors after the All-Star break.