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LeBron James, with vision unlike any sort of mankind, telegraphed back to back weak passes from the Brooklyn Nets shorthanded offense midway through the fourth quarter.
Gasps, oohs and ahh's via anticipation from a Barclays Center audience that seemed to be more packed with fans in purple and gold received what they saw coming; Two clear paths leading to emphatic jams from the 37-year-old king.
The Lakers going up 15 with half of the final period remaining, the second slam put the nail in the Nets as James capped off yet another masterpiece on the season. The arena erupted due to all of the Laker fans.
"I just love to play the game. I got a passion for this sport, I got a drive for this sport that continues to make me go and I missed the first appearance in New York because of my suspension but the city of New York, they love basketball. They know basketball, they have seen all the greats to ever play this game and hopefully I just make them proud every time I come to New York and play the game." - said James postgame with Chris Haynes when asked about receiving that love from an opposing arena and still playing at such a dominant level." - LeBron James
Since becoming 37 years of age on Dec. 30, James' numbers have been superb at 31 points per game, eight rebounds and five assists shooting over 52 percent from the field and 32% from three-point range.
For the sixth consecutive season, James is leading all players in All-Star voting. Following Sunday's loss against his former team in the Miami Heat, he had a very accurate response after being asked if he thinks his workload is a tad too hefty based on his numbers seeming unusual for this state of his career.
"That is just how the games have been going," James said. "I don't need to score 30 a night, but I'm in one of the best zones offensively I've been in in my career and I don't plan on stopping it. That's just how I feel, I feel fantastic."
The genius and student of the game that he is, James pin-pointed examples of his efficiency.
"Shooting the ball extremely well from the field, I didn't shoot the three-ball well tonight but all eight of them felt great. Shooting efficient from the free-throw line, I'm shooting efficient from the field, very efficient at the rim."
Image: NBAE via Getty Images: Andrew D. Bernstein
Sure, the Lakers have proven that they need all of James' greatness and numbers to win, but the four-time champion continues to prove that a clear mind is the biggest key to greatness.
"I don't go into the game saying, 'oh you gotta score 30 or you guys don't have a chance to win,' I just play the game and this scoring has just been happening organically so, workload, I don't even, I don't know. I was 18 years old saving a franchise, so, I don't understand."
Time and Time again, James reminds us to save our doubts about the world icon from Akron, Ohio who continues to do the unbelievable and unthinkable.
The way he still can take flight and do his thing in the air near the basket along with his vision, indescribable athleticism on either side, anywhere on the floor. His elite scoring ability and now showing consistency from the line and from the perimeter, etc. It is all just hard to put into words how amazing James is.
Especially at this age, James has never shown any sort of inconsistency throughout his campaign as he just appears somehow to only be improving. This could be the best season of his career.
Who is probably the most incredible athlete and human being in the history of sports and arguably the best player in the history of basketball, should forever be appreciated at all times. We will never get to see an individual like this ever again.
"My shoulders are wide enough to carry a lot of load, but my mind his stronger," James said prior to his fourth championship in the bubble in the fall of 2020. "I always keep my mind strong and I'm happy to just be in this position."
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