LeBron credits 'optimal sleep,' eating right for staying elite at 38

LeBron James says sleep is playing a much bigger role in his career now than it did when he first entered the NBA.

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar spoke about the importance of getting a good night's rest and eating well when asked Monday how his approach to games has changed from when he was 18 years old.

"At 18 and 20, you're just doing it off just straight-up energy and just straight skill," James said following the Lakers' 121-115 win over the Charlotte Hornets. "You're just like, 'I'mma just go out here and just play free and just jump all over the place. I know I'm more athletic than everybody, I know I'm faster than everybody, and whatever happens, let's go out and just play free.' Well at 38, for me, it's mental. ... It's how much rest I can get from day to day and get my optimal sleep and make sure I get the right food in me ... getting my body right and things of that nature.

"I don't think at 18 you had to worry about getting eight or nine hours of sleep at night. You didn't have to worry about making sure that you was doing everything that you needed to do to be ready."

James had 43 points and 11 rebounds in the Lakers' win Monday, marking his second straight 40-point game. He's now 484 points away from breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record.