Tiktekno, 26.1/Sport1
On a night when everyone was waiting for a duel between Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid, LeBron James and Steph Curry provided an evening to remember, with the biggest, fun and exciting game of the season in the NBA.
On the one hand, King James with a tremendous triple double of 36 points, 20 rebounds (a career high) and 12 assists, including two free throws in the last second that gave the victory to the Lakers;
On the other hand, Kerry with a performance reminiscent of oblivion, including 46 points and 9 three-pointers (both season highs), a crazy three-pointer that forced overtime and another huge three-pointer 4.7 seconds to the end of the second overtime, just before LeBron decided;
"This is a game I will tell my grandchildren about," James said at the end of the game, in which the Lakers defeated Golden State 144:145 in an evening that reminded all NBA fans who is still considered the face of the league, even at the age of 39 (LeBron) and 35 (Kerry) .
"I will show my grandchildren this game and tell them with pride that I played against one of the greatest players of all time. I hope it will make me cool."
Due to their age and experience, LeBron and Kerry have already known many head-to-head battles.
They met in three finals, and fought for years for the unofficial title of the best and most popular player in the league.
Tonight after the dramatic game they were filmed embracing, paying tribute to each other for an unforgettable evening.
On the way to a game like this, you have to go through a lot of bumps.
Kerry Welbron/GettyImages, Ezra Shaw
"Playing against him is a tremendous honor. We continue to push each other even at this stage of our careers, and we don't take it for granted. I don't know how many more times we will have to compete with each other like this, so I mostly feel a great honor," says LeBron, And explains what, in his opinion, makes him and Kerry so great - the continuity effect.
"To be great players for so many years, for us to have continuity all this time, it takes sacrifice, hard work, and a willingness to develop. In this league, you must learn to adapt to the game, because it changes all the time. You have to put your all into it , otherwise you'll be left behind. Excellence is required of you, and that's what Steph and I do all the time."
LeBron claimed that, like him, Kerry also emphasized on preserving and strengthening his physicality over the years, and this is what helps him to be relevant even at a relatively advanced age.
"Over the years Steph worked so hard on his body, he had to sacrifice a lot to be able to play so many games, to be able to appear in so many finals and playoff series. It's not an easy thing, or a given. Personally, I understand that I have to Maintain my body non-stop if I want to continue to be one of the best in the league. My goal is to be one of the greatest players of all time, and for that to happen you have to keep working on your game constantly."
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Darwin the mother watched the duel of the giants from the sidelines, and was elated.
"Wow, man. As a basketball fan, I felt like I was constantly trying to control myself," the Lakers coach said.
"It was a great game, at a high level. Two legends who score repeatedly, who go head to head against each other, in two big teams. It was great fun to be a part of it."
Hamm continues to be amazed by LeBron with each passing day, saying that tonight's game "showed the champion in him. He didn't lower his head for a second, and kept pressing the whole time. This man continues to set new standards for the league, even at the age of 39. It's just phenomenal."
On the other hand, next to the mutual appreciation and hugs at the end, Kerry and Golden State looked quite frustrated at the end.
On the way down to the locker room Steph was seen ripping his jersey in frustration, and at the press conference Steve Kerr complained in an insinuating way about the referees.
"I would talk about the fact that they made 43 free throws to our 16. I would say something about Steph only going to the line three times in 43 minutes. But my mom is here in the crowd, so I'll try to be nice and not talk about it," Kerr said.
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LeBron James
Stephen Kerry