Dismiss LeBron James as old, but he's still the Lakers' heart beat

MEMPHIS, Tenn.-- You can call LeBron James old, as the Memphis Grizzlies' Dillon Brooks did. He is 38, after all. He's playing in his 20th season in the NBA. He's done it all two times. Or thrice. Or possibly more in his Hall of Fame career. He's got children practically as old as a few of his Lakers teammates.

" I do not care, he's old," Brooks said of a third-quarter fight with James on Wednesday in Game 2 of their first-round Western Conference playoff series, after James informed him he was dumb for picking up his fourth nasty. "I poke bears. I don't appreciate nobody till they come and give me 40."

Underestimate him at your own danger, however.

It's still possible for James to take control of a game with figured out drives and thunderous dunks stabilized by a deft touch from the perimeter. His defensive play should not be neglected, either, with the distinct likelihood that he can examine a guard, forward or center at any provided time.

He remains worthwhile of his "King James" nickname, and of the occasional GOAT bleating of his teammates after an especially impressive efficiency. He is, obviously, the highest-scoring player in the history of the NBA, having broken Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record earlier this season.

He is a four-time NBA champion and a four-time Finals MVP, the fire still burns within him, as evidenced by his response before Game 1 of the Lakers' first-round playoff series with the Grizzlies when asked if the playoff chase ever gets old for him. "No, never ever," he said emphatically.

James has actually taken a various technique in his mission for a 5th championship, and his second with the Lakers. It's not that he's delivered his function as a go-to player on the flooring to others on the lineup, however he has actually taken a function that befits a man in his late 30s. He's ended up being more of a mentor than ever in the past.

It was clear during the Lakers' triumph over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the play-in video game that established their first-round series against the Grizzlies. It was obvious again in the Lakers' success over Memphis in Game 1 on Sunday and likewise throughout their loss in Game 2 on Wednesday.

James is averaging 24.5 points on 20-for-39 shooting (51.3%), 11.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists after the Lakers divided the first two games of the best-of-7 series. Game 3 is Saturday at Crypto.com Arena.

" I believe that's simply part of my leadership, being able to discover what sparks every person to try to reach their potential," James stated a few days ago when asked about inspiring teammate Rui Hachimura to a playoff career-high 29 points in a 128-112 success in Game 1 on Sunday.

" I can't tell you whatever," James added, speaking more usually. "You need to take note. That's all you need to do, focus on a daily basis, and know every person is various. You have to try to figure out how you can get the most out of every person and there are various methods.

" Then it comes from being a father, I believe, so having 3 kids, I understand that, and I got to moms and dad my kids in a different way to get the best out of them. Some of them I shout at, some I've got to convenience, be more reassuring kind of.

Hachimura, a 25-year-old native of Japan, has actually taken in all he can from James because the Lakers acquired him Jan. 23 in exchange for Kendrick Nunn from the Washington Wizards. It's been a continuous, on-the-court and off-the-court tutorial he said he couldn't have actually received anywhere else.

" It's fantastic," Hachimura stated. "I'm able to exercise with him. I've been working out with him in practice, the private workout. Nobody can do that. Couple of gamers can wind up on the same team and then have the ability to work out with him, go through the workout with him. He's been teaching me a lot of stuff. I can really see him and how he's been doing it and things and his capability and whatever. I can enjoy right beside him and I can really deal with him. That's actually helping me."

James showed a various side of his video game Sunday, too. With the Lakers secured a tight, back-and-forth game with the Grizzlies in the fourth quarter, James didn't try to take control of, as he might have earlier in his career, in two stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and one with the Miami Heat.

Rather, he picked his areas.

Or his area, as the case was in Game 1.

James took just one shot in the 4th quarter, swishing a 3-pointer from the wing. He would complete the game with 21 points and 11 rebounds, modest totals given his exceptional résumé, both in the routine season and the playoffs. His one pail gave the Lakers a 108-101 lead with a little more than 5 minutes to play.

James' teammates took over in the end, closing the video game with a 15-0 run.

It was precisely the type of game from James that Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins expected-- and possibly feared. These years, James still provides a great numerous matchup problems, even for groups with the remarkable younger talent and athleticism had by the Grizzlies.

How he can get a group together even with modifications (to the roster) in the middle of a season. He always discovers a method to get them working together to play winning basketball, and I think it's a credit to him."

Jenkins was simply getting heated up on his analysis of James' video game.

" He's seen every single protection understood to NBA history," Jenkins said. "So, whatever you're going to toss at him, whether it's matchup-related, it's in his post-isolation game, it's his pick-and-roll game, it's in shift to start with, he's seen it all, and he's still flourishing.

" He gets the defenses to collapse, discovers the open colleague, establishes trust with his colleagues. He's got a fantastic IQ on the defensive side of the floor, understands where to actually turn it up, develop steals, gets the team out in transition.