There is always banter among the players. While some of it is directed at a player’s weakness, others simply use it to call each other out. Similarly, LeBron James went off against Oklahoma City Thunder player, Tre Mann. After finishing a thunderous dunk, the ‘King’ called him small in front of the Los Angeles Lakers’ bench.
Mann got him back by going off on another player.
There are some iconic celebrations in the NBA. LeBron has his silencer, Westbrook has the rocking the baby. However, a common celebration we see after a bucket is calling a player too small. Notably, it is a way to get to the player and indicate they cannot guard them. However, it doesn’t always work in the best way.
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The ‘King’ found that out in the worst way possible.
After calling Tre Mann small, James saw one of his players get the ultimate response.
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Mann answers back to LeBron James
After a dominating opening quarter, the Lakers looked to pile on their lead against OKC. So, when Russell Westbrook got the block, he proceeded to bring the ball up the court. After a few passes, the ball came to Carmelo Anthony at the perimeter and this is where James made his move to the basket. The “Akron Hammer” then finished the play with a thunderous dunk that also got him the foul. He then went to the Laker bench and called Tre Mann small.
However, this fired up Mann. So when OKC got possession the next play, Mann replied in the best manner possible. He slithered his way to the rim and absolutely detonated on Lakers’ Wayne Ellington. While his jam did fire up the crowd, it did not do much for OKC.
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After going down 14 in the opening quarter, the Thunder seemed to make their way back. However, the Lakers won that quarter as well, thanks to LeBron James going off. The ‘King’ accumulated 23 first-half points to go with 3 assists. He took the extra aggressive approach as the Lakers are missing out on Anthony Davis.
For OKC, they just couldn’t seem to get it going. Not a single player could notch up double digit points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 9 first half points. They saw themselves down by 19 as third quarter action takes place. However, one thing to note is that Oklahoma has come back from such a position against the Lakers twice this season.
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Do you think OKC will make another comeback with LeBron in the lineup for the Lake show? Let us know in the comments below.