LeBron James led the Los Angeles Lakers to a series-clinching victory against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 6 of the Western Conference playoffs on Friday night (Sports Illustrated). James scored 22 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out six assists, and recorded one steal in 31 minutes of play (CBS Sports). The Lakers had a “Game 7 mentality” to finish the series in front of their home crowd, according to James (Lakers Nation).
Despite his performance on the court, James made headlines for his postgame actions. He did not shake hands with any Grizzlies players after the game, letting his actions speak louder than his words (Yahoo Sports). His opponent, Dillon Brooks, also avoided media after the game (Yahoo Sports).
One thing that caught the attention of fans was James’ choice of footwear. He wore a pair of retro sneakers, which some speculated were a nod to his early days in the NBA (Sports Illustrated). The shoes were a stark contrast to the high-tech sneakers worn by most players in today’s league.
Before the game, James shared a touching moment with actor Jack Nicholson, who was watching the Lakers play for the first time in almost two years (The SportsRush). Nicholson, an 86-year-old Lakers fan and Hollywood legend, embraced James courtside at Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers’ victory sent a message to the rest of the league, with James leading the way. While the NBA may continue to evolve and create new stars, as Sports Illustrated notes, some things never change. James’ dominance on the court and his leadership off the court make him a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.
James and the Lakers will face the winner of the Phoenix Suns and the Portland Trail Blazers in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. With James in retro sneakers and a “Game 7 mentality,” the Lakers will be a tough matchup for any team they face (Bleacher Report).
