In his 21st year in the NBA, LeBron James has clearly not lost his step. James is averaging 25 points, 7.5 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA In-Season Tournament Championship against the Indiana Pacers.
Ahead of the meeting, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle had high praise for what the 38-year-old James is doing. This is a guy; someone just gave me this stat… That speaks to, obviously the amazing run of longevity, and in his case greatness. If there’s a Mount Rushmore, he’s one of the guys on the NBA Mount Rushmore.
“LeBron James is in his prime still. I mean I’m watching the guy last night and it’s phenomenal… I mean I’m watching the guy last night and it’s phenomenal… Someone just gave me this stat: He’s the only player who’s been the youngest player in the league and oldest. Speaks to an amazing run of longevity.”
“LeBron James is in his prime still. I mean I'm watching the guy last night and it's phenomenal… Someone just gave me this stat: He's the only player who's been the youngest player in the league and oldest. Speaks to an amazing run of longevity.”
Rick Carlisle on LeBron James.… pic.twitter.com/krjiu4Uuob
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 8, 2023
The Lakers cruised past the New Orleans Pelicans 133-89 Thursday night behind James’ 30 points and 8 assists. James, a proven veteran, will square up with Pacers’ star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is looking to prove himself as one of the best young players in the league.
In his storied career, James has accomplished just about every feat imaginable, but on Saturday, he’ll look to lead the Lakers to be the first ever In-Season Tournament champions.
LeBron James is set to turn 39 years old in just over three weeks. With that said, though, the stellar play he’s exhibiting in his 21st season in the league has one NBA head coach believing that the Lakers’ superstar is still “in his prime.”
Ahead of Saturday’s In-Season Tournament championship game, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle had nothing but positives to share about King James this afternoon.
“LeBron James is in his prime still,”
Carlisle claimed in a press conference Friday.
“I’m watching the guy last night, and it’s just phenomenal. LeBron, who’s averaging 25 points, 6.6 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game on the year, will hope to lead the Lakers over Tyrese Haliburton and the red-hot Pacers tomorrow night.”
On the season, he’s averaging just under 27 points, 12.1 assists (which currently leads the league) and 4.2 rebounds per game. It remains to be seen as to which team will walk away from the matchup as the first-ever winners of the NBA’s In-Season Tournament.
At 38-years-old and in his 21st NBA season, James is still one of the league’s most effective players. He’s showed that most recently when he helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a dominant semifinal win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
The win advanced his team to the NBA in-season tournament finals, with a matchup looming against the Indiana Pacers. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle now has the challenge of preventing James from leading the Lakers to a win. Ahead of the final, Carlisle complimented the forward’s longevity.
“LeBron James is in his prime still,”
Carlisle said,
“I mean I’m watching the guy last night and it’s phenomenal… Someone just gave me this stat: He’s the only player in NBA history who’s been the youngest player in the league and the oldest. LeBron James showcased he’s still in his prime when he put up 30 points, eight assists and five rebounds in the Lakers’ 133-89 win during the semifinals.”
The game didn’t just lift his team to the finals but made him the in-season tournament MVP favorite.
Overall, this season, James continues to put up great numbers as he averages 25 points, 6.6 assists and 7.5 rebounds per game.
Carlisle and the Pacers know it won’t be easy stopping James, but it will be necessary to win the first in-season tournament.
