LeBron James never ceases to amaze on the basketball court. A big reason for that is his age. At 39 years old, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar forward continues to do what players of his age shouldn’t even be remotely managing to do. But that is also why he’s an all-time great with an argument as the best ever to play the game of basketball.
On Sunday, in an all-important game against the New Orleans Pelicans , the four-time league Most Valuable Player once again played like an ageless wonder, even dropping so many dimes in the first half that left teammate and Lakers shooting guard Austin Reaves in a state of disbelief.
LeBron James Leaves Los Angeles Lakers Teammate Austin Reaves Amazed Over Playmaking vs. Pelicans
James played with a determination to heavily involve his teammates early in the Pelicans game, as evidenced by the fact that he exited the floor at halftime with already 13 assists.
“I looked up, I think, seven minutes to go in the second quarter and he had 11 assists. And I was just like, what the hell’s going on?,” said Reaves in the locker room while talking to reporters after the 124-108 Los Angeles Lakers win over the Pelicans on the road (h/t Dave McMenamin of ESPN).
“Like, they might have got a typo up here, but nah, he was just really, he was just making plays. Obviously, late in the game, they were kind of, you know, took over, got to the rim, got to the free-throw line, but I don’t know, but I just, I expect it this morning, so it’s normal.”
James also mentioned how determined he was to get his teammates excellent opportunities to score.
“Just try to put the ball on time and on target for either jump shots or guys at the rim,” James said after the contest (via ESPN). “Just trying to be very efficient with my play.”
When it was all said and done on the court, James had 28 points on 11/20 shooting from the field 17 assists, 11 rebounds, and five steals in 28 minutes of action. With that performance, he concluded his 21st regular season in the pros with averages of 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.3 steals along with a 54.0 field goal percentage and 41.0 percent 3-point shooting percentage.
James and the Lakers will face the Pelicans again on Tuesday in the Big Easy for a Play-in Tournament game.
More must-reads: