By Archie Lucky Guy
LAS VEGAS - LeBron James is aging like fine wine. Playing in his 21st NBA season at age 38, the future first-ballot Hall-of-Fame inductee is still getting it done at an elite level.
In the semifinals of the league's inaugural In-Season Tournament, James found another place to shine and establish his footing as one of the game's all-time greats.
READ Bronny James makes college debut five months after cardiac arrest
With a ticket to the championship round of what is dubbed as the NBA Cup at stake, James led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 133-89 rout of the New Orleans Pelicans yesterday at the T-Mobile Arena.
James' stat line was incredible across the board - 30 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
But here's what really made the feat amazing. James logged only 23 minutes of playing time. He made all but three of his 12 field goals and he had zero turnovers. His output was a plus 36 in the efficeincy meter.
With Anthony Davis chipping in 16 points and 15 rebounds and D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves combining for 31, the Lakers looked like championship contenders.
Two days later James capped his Vegas highlight by leading the Lakers past the Indiana Pacers, 123-109 to capture the first NBA Cup. James was named In-Season Tournament MVP after averaging 26.4 points, 7.9 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game.
"I think we are starting to get a feel of what we need to become a team for us to win basketball games to be consistent." James told reporters after LA improved to 14-9 and move to fifth place in the Western Conference.
LeBron's next target
Shining brightly in front of 18,800 fans, LeBron owned the Pelicans and Sin City at least for one night.
And somewhere down the road, he wants to own something else.
The "ultimate goal," said James, who already has an ownership stake with Liverpool and the Boston Red Sox, is to "bring my NBA franchise to Las Vegas."
At this point in his career, with so many milestones in his resume, who still doubts what he can do?
“My enthusiasm about being here post-career, bringing a team here has not changed,” James said after the trophy ceremony. “The fans are amazing here. They have everything already: WNBA team, they have a baseball team (Athletics) coming in soon, NFL team, hockey team, F1 (Formula One) was just here. This is a place that loves great attractions, and I think the NBA will be another great addition to this city.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
