1 week Ago By Christian Alamodin, Hardwood Heroics
LeBron James scoring 27 points for the Los Angeles Lakers would have dominated headlines on any other night. The 40-year-old’s continued defiance of Father Time keeps the Purple and Gold competitive and adds to his legacy as one of the best to play the game of basketball. However, the Lakers’ April 9 game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center ensured that the entire NBA world would focus on Luka Doncic.
Doncic’s incredible 45-point outing in his first game back at the American Airlines Center drew praise from JJ Redick and Jason Kidd . Moreover, the emotions surrounding Doncic’s six-and-a-half-year stay in Dallas may have some fans coping with the finality of the move. All of the drama isn’t lost on the 40-year-old star, who talked about the experience of witnessing the mediastorm that came with Luka’s first return to Dallas.
LeBron James sympathizes with Luka Doncic after the Los Angeles Lakers’ win over the Dallas Mavericks While everyone focused on the incredible game Doncic had against his former team, LeBron’s message tried to remind everyone that Luka is human and should be allowed to feel. Per Dan Wolke of the Los Angeles Times : “I’ve been in a lot of moments in my career. I’ve played against some former teammates.
I’ve played against former teams. I’ve been booed, I’ve been cheered, I’ve been whatever. Everything.
I’ve seen it all,” James told The Times. “And one thing you can’t ever undermine is just the emotion behind a human. And, as much emotion that was going on tonight, as much hoopla was going on and how much the game of basketball wrapped around it, the human side kicked in.
“Not only for Luka, but for our ballclub and for me.” LeBron has a unique take on the matter because he’s been in that situation before. Fans still remember The Decision , and the amount of vitriol he got from the move reminded LeBron of the emotional turmoil Doncic experienced of his own during his peak years.
It’s nice for James to remind fans that their idols also feel. The moment forged tighter bonds in the Lakers roster that might allow them to make a possible Finals run. The Thunder and the Nuggets might have something to say about the Lakers’ chances, but LeBron working together with Doncic should make the Purple and Gold’s chances better.
This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission..
