Winderman’s view: LeBron still LeBron-ing after all these years, this time in Lakers win over Heat
· Yahoo Sports
MIAMI – Observations and other notes of interest from Thursday night’s 134-126 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers:
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– He has made plenty of history in this building.
– Thursday night, LeBron James made a bit more.
– Now tied with Robert Parish for most NBA games played during the regular season.
– At 41, still arguably as dynamic in limited moments as many half his age (a career that closed as a Chicago Bull averaging 3.7 points).
– And certainly more of a factor as he nears his finish line than Parish was at his close.
– This time doing it on the second night of grueling back-to-back.
– When he certainly would have been within his rights to sit.
– And when many of his peers would have done so.
– This time a 7-of-7 start from the field.
– Choosing his moments judiciously as willing second wheel to Luka Doncic.
– (And on some nights third wheel to Austin Reaves.)
– But still the same triple-double threat.
– He likely will pass this way again next season.
– Although perhaps not in Lakers gold.
– But still an ageless treat.
– Even after coaching LeBron for four years with the Heat, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said his time as an Olympic assistant during the Team USA run to gold with LeBron at the 2024 Paris Games was further eye-opening.
– “I saw a lot of his habits, obviously, 14 years ago,” Spoelstra said of the time together with the Heat, “but then in the USA weeks, you could see how dedicated he was to all of the different things, the shooting, the player development, but also the weightlifting and mobility and everything to keep his body right. That was impressive.”
– Spoelstra added, “He’s doing so many impressive things. . . . It just shows you how competitive he is and how much it means to him.”
– Despite a 4 a.m. arrival from Houston, the Lakers’ entire primary rotation was good to go, including 41-year-old James.
– “I found out this afternoon that all those guys were talking in the locker room before the coaches came in after the game last night,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said, “and I think there’s just a high level of belief right now and they all want to play.”
– With Bam Adebayo back after missing Tuesday night’s loss in Charlotte with calf soreness, the Heat moved to a new starting lineup of Adebayo, Pelle Larsson, Simone Fontecchio, Tyler Herro and Davion Mitchell.
– The Lakers opened with James, Deandre Ayton, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves and Marcus Smart.
– Entering 7-4 with that lineup.
– With Jaime Jaquez Jr. out, Norman Powell played as Heat sixth man.
– Kel’el Ware followed, after starting Tuesday in place of Adebayo.
– With Dru Smith the first Heat point guard off the bench, ahead of Kasparas Jakucionis.
– With Jakucionis entering shortly thereafter.
– Going in, Spoelstra said the immediate goal is singular.
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– “The bigger test is how we raise our level of game and spirit and competition against teams that are all playing for something, at least in our near future,” he said. “That’s what people say they always want, and now we have it.”
– Spoelstra added, “But we always say this is for competitors only. Other teams are competing and bringing their best game, so it’s a matter of facing that level of competition and finding a way to get to another level collectively.”
– Up next are the Rockets in Houston on Saturday night.
– Then the Spurs at home on Monday night.
– Followed by two games in Cleveland.
– Like many recently, Redick gushed pregame of the recent sizzling play of Doncic.
– Who again was gush-worthy.
– “He’s playing as well as anyone in basketball,” Redick said. “He’s really elevated his play at a really important time for our team. He’s elevated the play of his teammates.”
– Redick added, “There’s a trusted level that we all have, coaches, teammates.”