LeBron James cemented his status as one of the greatest basketball players of all time yet again on Friday evening as the Los Angeles Lakers comfortably defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 125-85, thus progressing to the second round of the NBA Playoffs. ESPN reports that one of the key factors in the Lakers’ victory was the performance of Austin Reaves, a second-year guard who has played a crucial role in forming a new “big three” alongside James and Anthony Davis. Speaking of James, who has started all six playoff games this season despite concerns over his injured foot, HotNewHipHop reports that the four-time MVP “is more than ready for the challenge” that lies ahead. In fact, according to Basketball Network, former NBA star Gilbert Arenas went so far as to guarantee that James would score 40 points in Friday’s game.
Meanwhile, as Marca reports, James received a warm welcome from Los Angeles Lakers superfan and Hollywood legend Jack Nicholson, who sat courtside for the first time in nearly two years. Nicholson, who is now 86 years old, even shared a moment with James before the game. The SportsRush shares a video of another moment from Friday’s game that saw James go “back in time” with an incredible reverse dunk, reminding fans why he is still one of the best players in the world even after playing in the NBA for two decades.
Looking ahead, Sports Illustrated reports that James, Davis, and the rest of the Lakers will begin their second-round series against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday. While the series promises to be a tough and competitive one, Bleacher Report suggests that Lakers fans have reason to be optimistic after the team’s dominant display against the Grizzlies. Regardless of how the series unfolds, however, one thing is certain: LeBron James will continue to be a central figure in the world of basketball, and fans around the globe will be tuning in to see his next move.
