At 34, Lakers’ LeBron is in vintage form
‘Healthy mindset and a healthy body’ helps James perform some Magic acts at point guard for L.A.
SAN ANTONIO — The chants became louder as LeBron James stood at the far end of the basket. About 1,950 kilometres from his fan base in Los Angeles, James heard passionate Lakers fans yell something that captures how he has played nearly every game this National Basketball Association season.
“M-V-P! M-V-P!” a section of fans chanted while James conducted a walk-off interview following a 114-104 win against the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. The Lakers (15-2) haven’t quite completed a quarter of the season, yet those chants might not be premature.
He’s a significant reason the Lakers are off to their best start since 2010-11.
“I put in the work and I trust everything that I’ve done, especially this off-season,” James said. “I’ve come in with a great mindset, with a healthy mindset and a healthy body. My teammates put a lot of trust in me playing the point guard position and the coaching staff put a lot of trust in me playing that position. I just try to make them proud.”
Has James ever made the Lakers proud. He finished with 33 points on 13-of-24 shooting along with 14 assists against the Spurs, and James stuffed that box score in almost every way imaginable.
He banked in a long-distance three-pointer. He attacked the basket. He facilitated the offence. He bodied defenders with his six-foot-nine, 250pound frame. He played a significant role in the Lakers’ 12-3 run to open the fourth quarter.
“He was unbelievable tonight,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “I’m going to need a thesaurus or something for more.”
Here is a new word: historic. The way things are going, James, 34, might be on pace to record the best season of his 17-year career. He became the first player in franchise history to have the stat line he had against San Antonio in fewer than 36 minutes. He has logged at least 10 assists in eight consecutive games, the longest streak of his career and the longest by a Lakers player since Magic Johnson’s 10 consecutive games in the 1990-91 season. He has collected five triple-doubles, including three in consecutive games for the third time in his career.
“I don’t know what’s going on. It might be the wine I’m drinking,” James joked. “I’ll keep drinking some more if I’m going to keep doing that.”
James is doing more than just consuming vino. He is trying to make up for lost time after sitting for 27 games last season because of a strained left groin.
In the season before that, his last with the Cleveland Cavaliers, James admittedly played at his best, becoming the first player in NBA history to average at least 25 points, nine assists and eight rebounds while shooting 54 per cent from the field. Despite Kyrie Irving’s departure, Isaiah Thomas’ poor fit and Kevin Love’s injury, James guided the Cavaliers to the Finals and became the sixth player in history to play in eight consecutive Finals. He didn’t miss a game — regular season or playoffs.
Does he have the same goal this season?
“No. My goal is to play the next one. That was my mindset two years ago,” James said.
“I just played the next one.
Kept my mind sharp. Kept my body fresh. And it resulted in me playing every game that year. I came back with the same mindset last year until the injury.”
Since James’ injury, he has a much stronger supporting cast, with a dominant big man (Anthony Davis), a rising young player (Kyle Kuzma), a crafty playmaker (Rajon Rondo) and a dependable outside shooter (former Toronto Raptor Danny Green). But the Lakers’ success still largely hinges on James. So aside from filming Space Jam 2, James spent most of his waking hours from April to September training. Nearly 2 1 ⁄ months 2 later, James reported that he feels good with his spring, quick-twitch, mind and body.
“Every time I tell you guys that it’s the best I’ve felt, you guys kind of get a ‘all right,’ ” James said, while showing a look of disbelief. “Then I go out and I’m able to do what I do. But that’s how I feel, man.”