At age 38, LeBron James is still reaching new heights, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. For the first time in his 20 NBA seasons, James posted 20 points and 20 rebounds in the same game Monday night as the Lakers rallied for an overtime win to take a commanding 3-1 lead over Memphis.
James’ performance was about much more than stats, however, as he banked in a layup high off the backboard to tie the game with less than a second left in regulation, then delivered a three-point play late in the extra session to put the game out of reach. He followed that final basket with a show of emotion, flexing his biceps and screaming toward the crowd.
“These are the moments that I love,” James said. “I love the postseason. I’ve been a part of a lot of the games and I just love being able to make plays and be out there with my teammates to give them experiences that they maybe never had before.”
There’s more on the Lakers:
- First-year coach Darvin Ham understands that it’s a rare experience to have one of the league’s all-time greatest players in his lineup, per Jim Alexander of The Orange County Register. Ham strikes a balance between marveling at James skills’ and still trying to make him better. “I don’t take it for granted,” he said, “being in the position to coach him.”
- James’ heroics came on a rare down night for Anthony Davis, who sources tell McMenamin was slowed by pain in his right hip, which he hurt two and a half weeks ago. Davis made just one of his first eight shots from the field, but still managed 12 points and 11 rebounds while playing 42 minutes. “Things aren’t always going to be perfect,” he said. “Sometimes you got to win ugly. Sometimes you don’t play well, but still try to leave your imprint on the game. And that’s what I tried to do tonight on the defensive end.”
- Austin Reaves was L.A.’s leading scorer on Monday with 23 points to go along with four rebounds and six assists. Appearing in his first playoff series, Reaves said he continues to feed off the crowd, which showered him with “MVP” chants once again. “The way that they support me, the way I believe that they love the way that I play. … I’m gonna give it everything I got every night,” Reaves said (video link from HoopsHype)
The Lakers should have this series now…
They’ve got Memphis rattled whilst Ja is too busy playing hero ball and jumping into charges…
Am I the only one who laughed hysterically at the look on Ja’s face when the camera zoomed in on him on the floor? Even he was like “bro, why’d I do that”.
Was that the charge on AD?
Because if so you aren’t alone… The look on his face was gold…
He tried it again a bit later and no call was made… Got up screaming at the refs…
Sometimes he makes KAT look like a guy who takes everything in his stride… lol
Nah, when he tried to dunk over LeBron and fell face-first on the floor.
I don’t even think KAT is one of the 10 worst these days. Luka is the king of complaining. I’d say LeBron, Draymond, Harden, Ja, Booker, Jokic, Tatum, Durant, Westbrook, CP3,
Lillard, Eric Gordon, etc. are constantly complaining. Any time there’s a tiny bit of contact they act like it was the most egregious non-call ever. Even Curry has been complaining the entire playoffs.
Reaves coming in clutch.
How on earth can anyone deny the fact that Lebron James is league MVP? Does anyone really believe that Jokic or Embid or even Giannis are even close to the same athletic and skill level as Lebron, even at his age. Lebron’ s basketball IQ and skill level are unmatched – his ability to block, to create steals, to chase down, to pass, to play any position, to guard any player, and to score, especially in clutch situations is unmatched. It doesn’t matter if you put the leagues best defensive player (Jackson) on him, unless you double team or foul he is going to find a way to score. What’s most impressive is his understanding that it’s a team game and he makes everyone around him better and that if he wanted to he could score 50 every game, but unlike players like Morant and Curry he’s not selfish and instead focuses on team accomplishments. For me he’s easily, by far the best player in the league. He probably will forever be in MJ’s shadow in the GOAT conversation but because of his ability to play all five positions and his passing stats and overall game IQ he definitely deserves to be considered the best player during his time in the NBA.
You’re right with half of what your post states. LeBron was the best athlete in the league but that was seven years ago and as far as the “GOAT” at least for me he surpassed M.J. for 2nd best of all time when he carried the Cavs back from a 3-1 deficit in the finals to beat what probably was the greatest team ever assembled. He became the “GOAT” when he surpassed the prior one when he broke Jabbar’s all time scoring mark this season.
Nowadays if I want athleticism I’ll take Giannis all day everyday. If you want passing you should probably take Jokic, I mean the guy did just average 9.8 apg as a center. Embiid will most likely win MVP and though he wouldn’t have gotten my vote I really can’t argue with it. Then there’s the fact that LeBron only played in 55 games this season.
As a side note Curry isn’t selfish, it’s his job to be the main scorer and he makes his team better because of it. His ball handling and ability to pull the trigger from anywhere past the logo gives defenses fits. He may not get the assist in the box score but chances are he made the pass to guy that got the assist.
Ja is playing basketball but not playing basketball
Brooks is all mouth ….. you ain’t no Rodman. You not even avoid defensive player. Bron owns you. The old man abused youngster. And he shut you up …. STFU.
Or please …. talk now so they can send you home from arena.