At 38 years and 115 days, LeBron James continue to defy the master of time with a new legendary performance! What he achieved last night, in Game 4 against the Grizzlies, is simply incredible at such an advanced age: 22 points, 20 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 blocks in… 45 minutes. Of course, he was clumsy (1 of 7 from 3-pointers), but he only lost one ball. Of course, he disappeared for long minutes between the 3rd quarter and the end of the 4th. But when it was necessary to attack the circle to snatch the extension, or push the Grizzlies, in this same extension, he was there! “I love those moments, I love the playoffs” he says at a press conference.
To get an idea of his performance, you should know that LeBron James broke his career record on the rebound with his 20 catches. At 38! His double “double double” is the first of a Laker in the playoffs since Shaquille O’Neal in 2004. He also becomes the oldest player to achieve a double “double double”, and he erases the legendary Wilt Chamberlain from the shelves!
LeBron James: a career record at 38!
“We did a good job, especially in overtime, and we made stops when we needed them” reacts LeBron at the edge of the field, before evoking this basket scored in force: “I wanted to take my time and find a good shot, the best possible shot, to avoid him then going into transition. I saw an opening on the left, he grabbed my arm but I managed to score with the board”. And the fault…
LeBron James sacrifices himself in front of Ja Morant
There is also this action where he plays the passage in force on Ja Morant launched at 2000 per hour. It’s a decisive action, in the “money time”, and there again, at 38, it takes guts to agree to get in the way of the Morant rocket. “I just tried to do what was necessary for the team,” he replies. “Ja is explosive and once he’s launched you can’t stop him in the air. The only solution is as soon as possible on the ground. I placed myself and I managed the passage in force. »
Now we have to keep a cool head. The Lakers lead 3-1, and they return to Memphis. Greeted by goat cries in the locker room by his teammates, LeBron will find the words to make his young partners aware of the situation. He is in the best position to know that we can come back from a 3-1… “There are a lot of kids in the group, and I know it’s my role to make them understand that they have to maintain the same level, and that a match does not sum up a series. We can play even better, I want them to be comfortable, to play in a liberated way when they are on the pitch. Let them take care of that already, and I’ll take care of the rest! »
It’s a bit of a summary of the end of the 4th quarter, and of this victory snatched in overtime!
