The best fitness in your career?

LeBron is "a rare offensive bison," aiming for the next big record

As the Lakers continue to lose, LeBron feels more efficient than ever, displaying an "amazing" combination of shooting and passing, and looking straight at Karim's unattainable points record.

And also: Harden "marked by the judges", Doncic and Dallas developing surprising weapons.

Summary of the night

Walla!

sport

24/01/2022

Monday, 24 January 2022, 10:54

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Washington is training with coach Wes Ansald Jr. who has left the Corona Protocol (the Wizards' official website)

LeBron James continues to reinvent himself, and although this is not reflected in the Lakers' winning streak, he also admits he is in one of the best periods of his career. Tonight (Sunday through Monday) James scored 33 points and dropped 11 rebounds that did not stop the Lakers from losing 113: 107 to Miami, but did leave the league again amazed at his ability.

It was LeBron's 17th straight game with 25 points or more. In that streak he averages 32.5 points (second only to Joel Ambide) at a fantastic 53 percent from the field. Overall, the 37-year-old James is ranked second in the league's scoring table this season with an average of 29.0 points per game, with only Kevin Durant (29.3) above him. This is his fourth-highest seasonal average in his career, and the highest in a decade.

"I do not have to score 30 every game, but I do feel like I'm in the best offensive zone I've had in my career," LeBron admitted, making it clear: "I'm not going to stop. That's my feeling. I feel fantastic. "I feel effective from all ranges - penalties, threes, shots from the field, near the ring."

Part of the Lakers' offensive burden is set to fall following the return of Anthony Davis, who is set to return in the upcoming game against Brooklyn.

But LeBron wants to continue with the same aggressive approach on offense.

"I don't come into the game feeling like I have to score 30 to have a chance to win the game. I'm just playing my game, and the points come naturally to me."

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Deadly, and not going to stop.

LeBron (Photo: GettyImages, Michael Reaves)

Even Eric Spolstra, the Miami coach and who coached LeBron when he wore the hit uniform in the past, was thrilled by James' temporary super-ability. "A player who first thinks of delivery can be the king of the NBA's baskets at age 37 .... that's a pretty amazing thing," he says, admitting that the new role James plays as a center has surprised him, too. "If I had known he could play like that in position 5, I would have moved him there a decade ago."

The load on LeBron's shoulders is quite heavy this season, in a way somewhat reminiscent of the start of his Cleveland uniform career, so he dragged limited and talented teams in talent to later stages of the playoffs. Either way, aside from trying to take the limping Lakers as far as possible, he is also aiming for the next personal best - and wants to become the league's all-time king of baskets. He is currently 2,006 points away from Karim Abdul Jabbar.

"I think it's natural for me to check where I'm located and wonder if it's possible to climb to first place. As time goes on and I keep getting closer there, it makes me want to," he admits.

"Obviously my health will play an important role here, and also my ability to keep giving everything on the pitch. I keep trying to get better, and never feel satisfied. As for Karim's record, we'll have to wait and see. I have never forcibly pursued any record. Never. I did not think to myself, 'I owe this personal achievement to myself.' It does not work for me like that. "

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A sense of deprivation.

Harden, tonight (Photo: Reuters)

James Harden again argues: The judges do not give me enough respect. The Brooklyn star, who in recent years has squeezed the most fouls in the league on an almost regular basis, settled for just four free throws tonight in a 136: 125 loss to Minnesota, and at the end criticized the whistleblowers.

"Unfortunately, there is no uniformity in refereeing in the NBA this season," he said. "It's so disappointing ... when I get into the basket, I do not get whistles that others do get. Obviously you can not whistle on every touch, but quite a few times I get elbows and blows, and the judges ignore."

Nets coach Steve Nash bolstered Harden, saying "there are games where the feeling is that the referees have marked him. Because of the new emphases in the constitution, they have made him an example. Many times I find myself frustrated by whistles that are not almost automatically whistled at."

Harden emphasizes that "the referees try to give me explanations, but many times the offense is so clear that I can not understand it ... Anyway, it is not going to stop me. I will continue to penetrate the basket, I will continue to play aggressively and produce moves, and hopefully Will get better. "

We did not expect that.

Doncic (Photo: GettyImages, Richard Rodriguez)

Dallas continues to look great, showcasing a new weapon that few believed it had in line: an iron defense that stifles rivalry.

The Mavericks have struggled a lot on the defensive side in years past, but lately something has connected.

Tonight they limited the hot Memphis to just 91 points, recording an 11-point win in the last 13 games.

Overall, the Mavericks have taken the opponent off less than 50 percent of the field in 23 consecutive games.

"I think I became a much better guard. I improved a lot on defense, but it's thanks to our team defense. Other players deserve more credit," said Luka Doncic, who finished with 37 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists.

"I think the secret is that everyone is involved in the defense. Everyone is helping each other, everyone is communicating. That's what we need to do every night."

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• LeBron James

• James Harden

• Luka Doncic