Effusive compliments

Facing members of the media on the eve of the Lakers’ tiff against the Hornets, LeBron James was asked the inevitable queries about how he felt his career stacked up visa-vis that of host franchise owner Michael Jordan. Needless to say, he was effusive in his praise of the all-time great, whom he considered his childhood idol and whose trajectory he continues to follow. Growing up under challenging circumstances, he said, His Airness served as one of his few inspirations. Which, no doubt, was why he wound up hitting the ground running in yesterday’s match; he sought approbation from the single most important spectator apart from the record 19,461 on hand at the Spectrum Center.

By the time the first quarter ended, James had 12, five, and two to his name. He was engaged on both ends of the court, unusual in light of his increasing proclivity to pace himself, and his exertions enabled the Lakers to build a nine-point lead when he was subbed out with 55.9 ticks left in the period. He would go on to play 19 more minutes and produce 12 more markers, seven more caroms, and nine more dimes, his triple-double a fitting statement in the face of comparisons with Jordan, who watched the proceedings from a luxury box.

In truth, James is no Jordan, and his peak doesn’t compare to the other’s. That said, he boasts of longevity that, when all is said and done, may yet produce an unparalleled body of work. He’s two weeks from turning 34, and yet he’s still firmly in the Most Valuable Player conversation. When most other stars are already looking to hang up their jerseys, he’s turning in remarkable stat lines. Certainly, his presence is why the Lakers, whose preseason projections had them modestly clinging to a playoff seat, think they can instead claim Top-Four seeding.

First thing’s first, though. For all the heightened optimism, James knows success is a journey and not a destination. From what he sees, the Lakers still have a long way to go. They remain prone to mistakes borne of inexperience and excessive enthusiasm. And, as their loss to the Rockets last week proved, they’re lacking in composure, especially under pressure. It’s where he believes he can most help — and he did yesterday, with Jordan looking.

For all the heightened optimism, James knows success is a journey and not a destination. From what he sees, the Lakers still have a long way to go. They remain prone to mistakes borne of inexperience and excessive enthusiasm. And, as their loss to the Rockets last week proved, they’re lacking in composure, especially under pressure. It’s where he believes he can most help — and he did yesterday, with Jordan looking.