Danny Avdia in a shooting competition at Washington practice (from Twitter)
A generation comes and a generation goes - but LeBron James always remains.
A few seconds before the start of the game between the Lakers and the Rockets, Houston player Jabari Smith Jr. approached James, and started a surprising conversation with him.
"You played against my dad in your first NBA game. How old does that make you feel?" said Smith Jr. - and didn't know he had awakened the monster.
LeBron finished the game with 48 points (16 of 26 from the field, 5 of 10 from three-pointers, 11 of 12 from free throws) - a season high.
He also added 9 assists and 8 rebounds, continuing his incredible form since celebrating his 38th birthday in late December.
Since his birthday, LeBron is averaging 37 points, 9.7 rebounds and 8.6 assists per game.
In that span, he leads the NBA in all three categories.
Also, LeBron already has 3 games of 40 points or more on his birthday.
For comparison, only Michael Jordan has more 40+ games after his 38th birthday (8 such games).
LeBron has already matched Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who recorded three such games.
And all this, as mentioned, when he is facing several players who are twice his age.
At the end, LeBron referred to the amusing conversation with Jabari Smith Jr., admitting that "it made me feel extremely old. I just feel blessed to have the opportunity to play for so many years and influence several generations of players", as he recalled While players who played against him in the past, and now have sons continue in the league such as Kenyon Martin, Gary Trent and Gary Payton.
"LeBron scores 48 points in a game where he faces a player his father faced as a rookie. He's just an alien," tweeted commentator Nick Wright, and commentator Kendrick Perkins was also amazed: "LeBron scores 30 or more against guys who were babies when he came into the league, It's crazy."
twittertwittertwitter
After tonight's game, LeBron scored 40 or more points against 29 teams.
The only team against whom this has not happened yet is the Clippers, whom he will face in a week.
After the recent displays, there are those who are convinced that LeBron will close a circle with the 30th team in the upcoming derby.
Either way, he's inching closer to the all-time points record.
LeBron is 316 points short of reaching Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and at this rate he will do it sooner than expected.
"He's really making history every game. To play and contribute like that at this age, it's amazing to be a part of it and see it up close," praised Lakers coach Darwin Hamm.
"He's extraordinarily competitive, he's extraordinarily efficient, it's amazing to see. He wants to win, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen - if he needs to score 40 or 50, he'll do it; if he needs to dish out 15 assists, He'll do it; anything you need from him, he'll just do. We have to guard him with cotton wool, that it will never end."
Learning experience.
Avdia in front of Steph Curry (Photo: Reuters)
In Washington, Steph Curry enjoyed a special reception.
Wizards fans gave Kerr a standing ovation and showed him love, on a level that reminded Steve Kerr of one former player, Michael Jordan.
"Steph Curry is the modern Michael Jordan," said the Golden State coach after Curry scored 41 points in a 118:127 victory over the Wizards, and explained.
"When I played for the Bulls, half of the fans in the stands wore jersey number 23. Now half of the fans are wearing Golden State jerseys with the number 30. Steph changed the game from end to end. He evokes emotions in people. I think his style of play is so inspiring that no No matter where he ends up, he will be cheered everywhere. In every spot on the globe, there will be his fans."
On the other hand, Danny Avdia experienced another slightly frustrating evening, after playing only 14 minutes after accumulating 4 speeding fouls.
Avdia scored 6 points (fifth consecutive game in single digits), finished with 3 of 9 from the field including 0 of 2 from three, and added 5 rebounds and two assists.
In most of the minutes, he had a hard time chasing Golden State's agile outside players on defense.
"It's hard to guard these low guards, they're very good offensive players and often get the little whistles," Wizards coach Wes Anseld Jr. explained the few minutes Avdia got.
"It was a learning experience for him tonight, and he will feel more comfortable playing against such players as time goes on. All in all, he did a reasonable job. Not sure that the fouls that caught him should have been whistled, but in any case he will only learn from it."
sport
NBA
Tags
LeBron James
Stephen Kerry
Danny Avdia
