LeBron James, Tobias Harris

LeBron James strips the ball from Orlando's Tobias Harris during the first half of the Cavaliers' romp over the Magic on Friday.

(John Raoux, Associated Press)

ORLANDO, Fla. - Cleveland Cavaliers star forward LeBron James is fourth in the NBA with 36.8 minutes logged per game this season, and he's tired of hearing about how long he's running up and down the court.

He's the only player 30 years of age or older in the top 18 in minutes averaged on the season. He'll turn 31 on Dec. 30. But to be fair, he's averaging the second-lowest minute tally of his career. His lowest was last season at 36.1.

Some argue that as he ages, his minutes should be reduced more dramatically to allow him to be at full strength when the postseason rolls around.

James doesn't want to hear any of that.

"I'm just a player. I'm a ballplayer," an irritated James said after Sunday's practice at Freedom High School. "I look at it like if I was hurting my team by playing big minutes then take me out. Sit me down and then it should be a conversation.

"I've never in my career played high minutes and hurt my team, so I don't see why it's such big difference or a big deal now. It's just something to talk about because there's nothing else to talk to me about besides minutes."

Getting James to sit out a game here and there is a tall task. James doesn't like sitting out practices or games. He always says that would be "cheating the game," and that's not how he was brought up to play at a high level.

Injuries are more frequent these days. Players, as they get older, become more susceptible. That's how Father Time operates.

However, James has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to what he puts into his body and the around-the-clock treatment he receives. For over 12 years, he has avoided serious injuries, which is impressive considering his aggressive, bulldozing style of play.

He's currently dealing with minor soreness in his right quad from the blowout win over the Orlando Magic.

"I feel where I would like to be with two days before we play again," he said. "My quad is definitely still hurting a little bit, but I got in some work today and I feel like I'm progressing. I feel good."

Although chipping off a few minutes each game might benefit him and the team in the long run, his approach is that it's all about the now.

"I can't worry about the long run," James said. "What if I get hurt tomorrow, then what? Knock on wood (he literally knocked on the hardwood floor). But what if I get hurt tomorrow? I play in the present. Tomorrow is not promised. So that's how I live."

The questions will always be there, and he understands it. At his age, he's still one of the few players who does everything on the court. His workload is enormous.

One way to decrease it is to wrap the game up in the third quarter like the Cavs did against Orlando. James registered 25 points, eight assists and four steals without playing a single minute in the fourth.

"Well, it's great in the sense of everyone was making a big deal of my minutes, so there you go: 29 minutes for you tonight," he said after the game.

As long as he's healthy and able to go, James wants to play -- unless the game is decided. While he is still producing, his distribution of minutes isn't going to change anytime soon.