There are some champions who play so dynamically that their teams depend on them. Then there is another league of legends who ensure that the players around them get better just because they are around. LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers belongs to this rare breed.
The Lakers organization signed LeBron in the free agency, and that proved to be a game-changer for the franchise. After a nine-year drought, the Lakers finally reached the conference finals. The last time they made it to the finals was when Kobe Bryant lifted the trophy in 2010.
LeBron James is breathing life into the Lakers’ legacy
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Akron Hammer is a force of nature and the NBA Playoffs 2020 has proven this. With every other game, he set or matched a new NBA record. Aside from a few rough games, he has been phenomenal with his scoring ability.
Los Angeles Lakers’ President Jeanie Buss knows the value this man brings to the team. She recently spoke about her absolute admiration for Bron in an interview. The 58-year-old sports executive noted, “Having a player like LeBron James…he makes me so proud, his work ethic, his dedication to the game, what he brings day & night, it’s inspirational to teammates, to the staff, to the city…I couldn’t be more proud that he’s a Laker.”
"Having a player like LeBron James…he makes me so proud, his work ethic, his dedication to the game, what he brings day & night, it's inspirational to teammates, to the staff, to the city…I couldn't be more proud that he's a Laker."@JeanieBuss tells Sedano & LZ on 710 AM ESPN pic.twitter.com/pEBTIvDh7e
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) September 22, 2020
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Bron is hungry even at the age of 35 and the way he works on his fitness is a living example of work ethic.
Why is this man from Akron so important, so dominant?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In season 2018-19, the Lakers were #4 on the western conference table till the time LeBron was playing with them. He got injured and the team’s performance dropped so poorly that they ended up #10 in the conference.
Even in this season, the only two areas where the L-Train is averaging below the league average are FT% and 3P%. Apart from these two parameters, he is miles ahead of the average numbers. He has been scoring 25.3 points, 7.8 rebs, and 10.2 assists per game. His dominance from the paint is feared by opponents and the way he guards all around the court is amazing. If he keeps the pace and the spirit set at the present level, LeBron might just let Jeanie’s Lakers lift the trophy.