Домой United States USA — mix Was this the start of LeBron James’ Los Angeles takeover?

Was this the start of LeBron James’ Los Angeles takeover?

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LOS ANGELES — They are trying to read the tea leaves in Los Angeles regarding LeBron James’ imminent future. The L.A. columnists wrote love poems to…
LOS ANGELES — They are trying to read the tea leaves in Los Angeles regarding LeBron James’ imminent future. The L.A. columnists wrote love poems to James over All-Star Weekend, that he must don himself in purple and gold this summer.
King James didn’t mute any of the California Dreaming after his MVP performance in a Hollywood All-Star thriller Sunday night at Staples Center.
He willed Team LeBron to a 148-145 triumph with 10 fourth-quarter points, the game-tying trey and go-ahead basket with 34.7 seconds left.
After he swallowed up Stephen Curry in preventing him from getting off a 3-pointer in the final ticks, James raced downcourt, sticking out his arms in celebration, the arena’s noise finally matching up to this marquee event.
“I think L.A. is a perfect place to host All-Star Weekend,’’ said James, who has a second home here. “It’s one of the few cities that we have in our league that can accommodate all of this. We know the traffic. But traffic is traffic. But L.A. can accommodate that. It’s built for stars. It’s built for entertainment. It’s built for cameras and bright lights, and it’s a great place for it.’’
La Land and the Lakers would seem a great place for James to embark on his next mission as he attempts to become bigger than Michael Jordan ever was. After all, purple is the color of royalty.
If these new Cavs additions — both young and old — don’t step up to the moment in the postseason, James may not even have a tough choice.
However, as associates caution, James never tips his hand; Cleveland thought it was re-signing him in 2010 until Decision Day. He would’ve been a championship poker player if he didn’t choose basketball.
“Championships is what I play for,’’ James said late Sunday night. “Along the way, if you’re able to have some accolades along the journey, then it’s really cool, and this is one of them. Championships is what this league is all about and hopefully at the end of the road, I have the Cavs there to actually compete for one, to be in a Finals representing the East. So that’s my goal. Getting back.”
James is 33 years old – same age as Carmelo Anthony. What’s amazing above all else is James’ durability, never sustaining a serious injury since being drafted in 2003. Consider his workload of playing into The Finals seven straight seasons.
As the Knicks mourn the potential nine-to-12 month loss of their franchise player, Kristaps Porzingis, it makes James’ perfect health more mind-boggling.
The oldest player in the All-Star contest, James was asked about the young All-Stars emerging after his 29-point/10-rebound/eight-assist ledger.
“They’re the next crew, for sure,’’ he said. “What I take pride in is taking care of my body. Making sure I’m available every night and continue to get better. I need to continue to show myself because every night I step on the floor I have to lead my guys or prove to myself that I’m still able to play at a high level. I feel great.”
As his former coach Byron Scott told the LA Times, “He’s making sure he is holding the NBA, the teams, pretty much everybody hostage.”
James was asked Sunday if he would want to again captain next year’s All-Star Game in North Carolina.
“I’ve just got to play some good ball in the first half of the season next year to make sure I’m in Charlotte,” James deadpanned.
James made a funny. Nobody laughed, but the joke’s on the entire league.

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