Lebron James Enjoys All-star Game Collaboration, Says He's Still Unsure About Retirement

Lakers prima LeBron James eased his measurement to nan question and reply podium connected Sunday pinch a elephantine h2o jug successful his manus and a do-rag covering his hair, making him nan past of nan NBA All-Stars to speak pinch nan media.

James was selected arsenic a reserve for nan Western Conference All-Stars, breaking his NBA-record of 21 consecutive starts but still extending his grounds people for nan astir appearances successful nan crippled astatine 22.

At 41 and playing successful his grounds 23rd season, James was asked astir his future, because nan timing of his eventual retirement ever seems to beryllium a root of curiosity.

So, James was asked earlier he played successful nan “U.S. vs. “World” All-Star crippled astatine Intuit Dome Sunday afternoon, if he had immoderate inkling astir what he wants to do adjacent season.

“Yeah, I mean, I want to live,” James said. “When I know, you guys [in nan media] will know. I don’t know. I person nary idea. I conscionable want to live. That’s all.”

James played connected nan USA Stripes team, joining chap seasoned-veterans Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, who didn’t play because of a correct knee injury.

They are long-time combatants, friends and U.S. Olympic teammates.

And they are all-stars teammates again, each of them complete 37 years aged and each of them still striving to play astatine a precocious level.

“It’s ever an grant to spot those guys,” James said. “We person had specified an unbelievable travel througout our individual careers and past intersecting astatine definite points successful our careers, matchups successful nan regular season, Finals appearances, postseason appearances, past Olympics 2 summers ago. When it comes to me, Steph and KD, we’ll beryllium interlocked for nan remainder of our careers, for sure. It’s been awesome to beryllium capable to person immoderate moments pinch those guys, versus those guys, teaming up pinch those guys.”

The NBA all-star format has changed from East versus nan West to U.S. versus nan World.

USA Stars guardant Scottie Barnes, left, celebrates pinch Cade Cunningham hitting a game-winner successful nan first matchup of nan NBA All-Star Game tourney Sunday astatine nan Intuit Dome.

(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)

There are 3 teams — USA Stars, USA Stripes and Team World, and they played 12-minute games successful a round-robin tournament.

Game 1 was Team World vs. Team Stars, a crippled that went into overtime aft Anthony Edwards tied nan people astatine 32-32 astatine nan extremity of nan first 12 minutes.

The first squad to people 5 points won successful overtime successful nan caller format. Team Stars won connected a Scottie Barnes 3 pointer, giving nan American squad a 37-35 victory.

Victor Wembanaya led Team World pinch 14 points, six rebounds and 3 blocks.

Anthony Edwards had 13 points for Team Stars, which will play Team Stripes next.

James and Clippers prima Kawhi Leonard are connected nan USA Stripes and Lakers superstar Luka Doncic, nan starring all-star ballot getter, is connected Team World because he is from Slovenia.

James was asked whether he could person ever imagined a USA versus nan World all-star format.

“No,” James said, laughing. “No. I mean, East-West is definitely, it’s a tradition. It’s been really good. Obviously, I for illustration nan East and West format. But they are trying something. But we’ll spot what happens. I mean, it’s nan US versus nan World. The World is gigantic complete nan U.S. So, I’m conscionable trying to fig retired really that makes sense. But, I don’t want to dive excessively overmuch into that. Yeah, East-West is great. We’ll spot what happens pinch this.”

Just earlier nan tipoff of nan first game, erstwhile President Barack Obama and erstwhile First Lady Michelle Obama were introduced to a opinionated ovation.