On Tuesday night, LeBron James did something he hasn’t done all season, and that’s play both games of a Lakers back-to-back.
It wasn’t a certainty he’d suit up as the Lakers took on the Hawks in Los Angeles. LeBron was listed as questionable and was a game-time decision.
However, he went through his routine, which includes, but isn’t limited to, a cold tub, stretching, rehabbing, and lifting. He felt he was good to go and played in the game.
Not only was LeBron available, but he was also magnificent.
James ended the night with 31 points, 9 rebounds and 10 assists. Thanks to LeBron’s efforts, the Lakers beat the Hawks and got back in the win column.
After the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick used his media availability as an opportunity to defend his star and condemn the constant negativity directed at James, a player who has a legitimate claim to be the greatest basketball player of all time.
“It’s actually unfortunate how much this guy puts into it and how much he cares and the way certain people talk about him,” Redick said. “It’s crazy. Come be around him every day and see how much this guy cares. It’s off the charts.”
Reporter: “Why do you say it’s unfortunate?”
Redick: “Because that’s the nature of envy. You’re not going to get a click, you’re not going to get a response by saying something nice about somebody, by acknowledging someone’s greatness, by acknowledging how much they care and how much they work and how much they’ve accomplished and continue to accomplish and continue to go after something. You got to say something bad about him. You got to go on TV and knock him. You have to go read into, ‘Oh, he did this pregame and he did this.’ It’s all just nuts. Be around him every day. He’s unbelievable.”
Negativity sells, but that doesn’t mean we should buy it.
LeBron is now officially doing what no one else has done. He’s in Year 23, and he’s not just along for the ride in LA, sitting on the bench, wondering how to say goodbye to the league. No, instead, he’s a go-to guy for the Lakers. When LeBron doesn’t play, it hurts the team’s chances of winning.
Despite being asked to reach an unrealistic level of production, LeBron has never once complained. Instead, he just delivers on the unimaginable and does everything he can to ensure the Lakers win as much as possible in 2026.
No, Redick’s words won’t stop the talking heads from doing what they do. But hopefully, it helps fans to pause and embrace this moment in LeBron’s career.
He still, at 41, has a drive to play in a random January back-to-back, pushing the limits of what the human body can do so he can put on that purple and gold uniform.
Whether LeBron is the GOAT will continue to be debated, ad nauseam, but what I do know is that he is a one of one. There was none like him before, and there won’t be another when he’s gone.
Enjoy it while you can, because despite his elite play, the day he walks away from this game is nearing. And once LeBron’s time in the NBA is over, all that will be left is nostalgia and the regret of not appreciating what we got to witness for over two decades.
You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.
