LeBron James made history when he was named MVP of the opening in season tournament Friday night Los Angeles Lakers opened their tournament defense.
It was 1504th regular season game of James career tying him with john Stockton for fifth most of all time as 39 year old star ticked past 57,000 career regular season minutes.
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Lakers coach JJ Redick credited James setting example for rest of team by being physicals on boards a goal of coaching staff for group.
Now 12 games into 82 game season with the Lakers sitting with the fifth best record in Western Conference at 8-4 James presence make it easy for Redick to implement his playbook with team.
Reddick said
“I think the biggest thing that we have seen as a staff is as we continue to build out the offensive system and play calling sheet, it is easy to then get him and AD the ball in right spot”.
James scored the Lakers last four points in 120-115 group stage win more the San Antonio Spurs and finished with 15 pints 12 assists and 16 rebounds for his fourth straight triple double he has had in row during his 22 season career.
He did it on a night where he said he played like s and was not in a good rhythm after taking season low 12 shot tried and committing a season high seven turnovers.
James is averaging 9.6 assists the second highest mark of his career and the third best in NBA this season only Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic 11.7 and Atlanta Hawks Trae Young 11.3.
James said
“The best thing about my game is I can have rhythm offensively and still have impact on game. I was able to do that tonight.”
James tied the Lakers franchise record for consecutive triple doubles set by Russell Westbrook Dec 25 to Dec 31, 2021 and Magic Johnson who did it twice March 28 to Nov 3 1981 and March 31 to April 5,1987.
Davis led LA with 40 points and 12 rebounds Austin Reaves Dalton Knecht D Angelo Russell and Max Christie scored in double digits.
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“I think when Bron in that mindset of dominating the game in that way it just empowers everybody else to step up make shots” Reaves said
“And obviously AD is going to do What AD does. He is done it every night so far this year”
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