LeBron James scored a season-high 40 points against Oklahoma City on Saturday as the Lakers snapped a four-game losing streak. James looked at it as a meaningful victory, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
“We needed this win,” James said. “We didn’t want to end the road trip in a losing effort. … To come in here to play versus a team that’s been playing extremely well throughout this season, it was a big win for us.”
We have more on the Lakers:
- They made a significant lineup move prior to the contest, as forward Jarred Vanderbilt replaced guard D’Angelo Russell. The starting lineup of James, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish, Vanderbilt and Anthony Davis doesn’t have a true guard, but it allows them to switch more often on defense, Jovan Buha of The Athletic notes. “When you have that type of size, and you start that type of size, length and athleticism, and you can switch down the line, they basically gain no advantage,” coach Darvin Ham said. Offensively, the ball flowed through James and Davis, though it creates issues in terms of three-point shooting.
- Ham believes the Christmas Day game against the Celtics can be used as a measuring stick, Khobi Price of the Orange County Register relays. “They’re one of the teams that’s at the top of the food chain in our league,” Ham said. “A team that’s definitely a championship contender. We get a chance to see where we are. You don’t have to have a Knute Rockne speech for this one. It’s a classic Lakers-Celtics game. Both teams are playing – for the most part of the year – playing at a high level. It’ll be a great chance to see where we are against the best of the best in terms of competition.”
- James and Davis are listed as questionable to play on Monday due to left ankle injuries, Price tweets, though they’ve often been listed with that designation in recent games and have suited up. Rui Hachimura is also listed as questionable due to left groin soreness.
He may be 6’8″ and 250 pounds but LBJ is a guard, he’s also a forward and center but he’s still a guard.
Although that’s accurate, he’s also a point guard a lot of the time. LeBron can play any position based on his size.
That’s especially with guys becoming more lean and athletic at every spot. As long as there isn’t a huge height discrepancy, LeBron could probably even play point-Center if he wanted to.
He cannot play center lol. Calm down
Against certain teams he can. OKC played Bertans and Kenrich as center when Chet was resting. Bron could play center against that.
The Vincent injury is really screwing with their plans. Reddish doesn’t provide them with the outside scoring the Lakers need around LBJ, AD.
Maybe those knicks can get Christian Wood.
Regarding LeBron I’d still like to know how you can play 923 minutes and get called for only 28 fouls.
called NBA memo not to call fouls on him but in his defense many times he doesn’t run down court and play defense. He just watches on defense now.
Anyone else have a laugh when LBJ suggested that current players should be able to be inducted into the Basketball HOF. What a self-serving dick.
Well besides himself Curry, Giannis, KD, CP3, Jokic, Kawhi, Russ, and maybe a few others are for sure HOF. It is odd the NBA does not make coaches wait since Pop was inducted.
Well how many other players have been in the league as long as him? He’s an exceptional talent and a relentless competitor. First ever In-season Tourney MVP and winner, and then first active player to be inducted?
Whether you root for Lakers to win or not hating LeBron at this point in his career is borderline objectively incorrect lol idk why people waste energy on it — unless the motives are not basketball-related.
I don’t hate LBJ the player, he is truly a multi generational talent. I just hate how self serving he is. I mean, on the day his BF Carmelo announces his retirement, James made sure to overshadow him by claiming he “may” retire. How much more of a jerk move can you get?
LBJ is athlete. He is not a good person. If you put him on a pedestal for other than his basketball skills you are a damn fool.