Giannotto

About how all of us get to watch The King more when he’s still The King, when he’s still close to the peak of his power, when he’s still the best player in the game today.

Because this season, now that James is in Los Angeles, he’s scheduled to come to Memphis two times, starting with Saturday night’s game against the Grizzlies.

That’s more Memphis appearances than he’s made over the past three years combined.

Because who knows how much longer he’ll still look like LeBron, and not some diminished version of LeBron?

He’s played 28 times against the Grizzlies during his 16-year career, including 13 meetings here in Memphis. He’s averaged 28.5 points, 7 assists and 7.4 rebounds in those road games.

Among the highlights: A 51-point, 9assist, 8-rebound barrage in an overtime win on Jan. 15, 2008; a 43-point, 13-rebound outburst on Dec. 8, 2009; and two triple-doubles, including one in his most recent Memphis appearance last February.

Judging by the steep price of tickets for Saturday’s game, compared to the half-empty stands the Grizzlies have experienced so far this season, many in this city don’t want to risk missing the next memorable performance.

FedExForum will once again be dotted with LeBron James jerseys.

(Disclaimer: The last time James was scheduled to play in Memphis on the second night of a back-to-back, which will be the case Saturday, he did not make the trip to FedExForum during the 2016-17 season. Don't shoot the messenger.)

The dilemma for Grizzlies fans, of course, is that watching your arena overrun by Lakers fans who magically became Lakers fans over the past five months is less than ideal. It’s what happens all over the country when James visits.

Unfortunately, LeBron's move from Cleveland to Los Angeles is just part of the NBA landscape now. The big market teams stockpile the big stars through free agency, while the smaller market teams build stars through the draft and then hope and pray they can keep one of those big market teams from poaching their star.

Memphis managed to do this with Mike Conley and Marc Gasol, even if they remain underappreciated around the rest of the league. But that’s also why the spotlight that will follow James to Memphis Saturday, and then again on Feb. 25, can be so useful.

Because, entering Friday’s games, the Lakers and Memphis were separated by just one loss in the Western Conference standings. Because if the Grizzlies can beat James Saturday, perhaps more people will take notice of what’s going on here in Memphis.

How the Grizzlies are suddenly one of the NBA’s best surprises this season. How they’re a playoff contender again. How Conley and Gasol are playing at an All-Star level again. How coach J.B. Bickerstaff has them playing like the Grit ‘N Grind Grizzlies again.

So what if LeBron is the carrot that ultimately convinces more to join the fun?

This year, at age 34, he’s averaging more points per game (28.4) than he has in a decade.

He’s still LeBron, and you never know when he won't be anymore.