LEBRON JAMES AT 41: "I’VE NEVER BEEN SORRY," KING CLAIMS ELITE STATUS IN SEASON 23
LeBron James enters his 23rd season with a defiant message. Discover if the Lakers star can still "turn it on" for a 5th ring.
LeBron James is in his 23rd NBA season, still suiting up for the Lakers. No one’s played longer in league history. He just made another All-Star team, which says a lot that he’s still among the game’s elite.
But for the first time since he was a rookie, LeBron isn’t considered a top-10 player. His skills have faded a bit over the last couple of years. Doesn’t matter to him, though. He still thinks he can take over any game, any night. That part of him hasn’t changed at all.
After blowing out the Mavericks by 20, LeBron didn’t hold back. The man’s 41, but he said, “I’ve never been sorry at basketball. I’ve been good ever since I started playing it. I just try to keep it going, as I said, and work on my game. I was out early today, working on my game. I give all the praise to the people before us, to the game gods, basketball gods, and things of that nature. Any given night, if I need to turn it on, I can turn it on.”
He really believes it. LeBron’s confidence is untouched; he still sees himself as the guy, the best in the world, whenever he decides to flip that switch. The reality? He can’t do it every night anymore. Not at 41.
The Lakers have the NBA’s 11th-best offence, and that’s partly because LeBron, when he feels like it, still charges the lane like nobody else. He’s convinced he can still lead a championship team, even now, with Luka Dončić on the roster.
But time isn’t on his side. LeBron’s future after this season is up in the air. He’s got a player option if he wants to stick around, or he could finally call it a career. Judging by the way he talks, he’s not ready to walk away; he still feels like one of the best when he’s locked in.
Nobody knows what jersey he’ll wear next year, but he’s enjoyed his run in LA. One thing’s clear: he’s chasing that fifth ring, the one that’s eluded him since the Lakers won in the Bubble. This might be his best shot to do it in Los Angeles.
If the Lakers want to make it happen, they’ll need LeBron, Luka, and Austin Reaves to stay healthy. That’s their only real shot at another title.
FORMER GM JIM BOWDEN CLAIMS PIRATES "SHOULD HAVE ACCEPTED" YANKEES' PAUL SKENES OFFER
Jim Bowden argues the Pirates should have traded Paul Skenes to the Yankees for a lucrative four-prospect package.
On March 26, Jon Heyman from the New York Post shared that the Yankees were open to a major trade for Paul Skenes, the ace from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Heyman mentioned that last July, the Yankees might have offered up to four top prospects. While it’s not clear exactly who those were, the package likely involved a mix of Cam Schlittler, who’s showing signs of becoming an ace; George Lombard Jr, Spencer Jones, Carlos Lagrange, or others.
Among those, Schlittler and Ben Rice are particularly valued by other teams. The Yankees have historically been quite protective of these young talents.
Following Heyman’s report, former MLB GM Jim Bowden weighed in, believing that if the Yankees did make that kind of offer, the Pirates should have accepted it promptly.
Bowden explained on the March 31 episode of “Foul Territory” that while he appreciates Skenes as a player, Pittsburgh likely won’t be able to keep him long-term once he becomes a free agent. He doubts the Pirates will commit to a massive contract, probably in the $400 million range, to keep Skenes down the line.
Bowden pointed out that the prospects involved in the Yankees’ rumoured offer are cost-controlled for several years and wouldn’t command the kind of salary Skenes eventually will.
From that perspective, Bowden said, “If I’m Pittsburgh and I got offered those four guys that I could control for six years and not have to pay any of them for three years, I have a better chance of winning with those four guys, and I have a better chance of winning longer with those four guys.”
He went on to suggest that if the offer was real, Ben Cherington, the Pirates’ GM, should have jumped on it and announced the deal immediately.
One player from that potential deal, Carlos Lagrange, stood out during this spring training for the Yankees. Though he didn’t make the Opening Day roster and was sent to minor league camp, he left a strong impression, including with Aaron Judge.
The judge told Meredith Marakovits on YES Network on February 21, “Anytime you can run up to 103 [mph], and he has a great feel for his off-speed pitches; that’s a lethal combo.”
He added, “I’m excited for his future, for what he can do on the mound for us. Lagrange, hey, he’s going to have a bright future with us, and I’m looking forward to his debut whenever that comes.”
LEBRON JAMES ONE WIN FROM BREAKING KAREEM’S ALL-TIME NBA WINS RECORD
The Lakers seek their 50th win of the season while the Cavaliers aim to spoil LeBron’s record-breaking night in LA.
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Tuesday night will see the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers on their home court in California.
The Lakers come into this game after a solid 120-101 win against the Washington Wizards, also on their home floor.
LeBron James stood out with 21 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists, and a block. He shot 8 of 16 from the field, including 1 of 3 from beyond the arc, playing 33 minutes.
For the upcoming game, the Lakers have listed James as questionable due to injury management.
Chris Fedor from Cleveland.com noted that LeBron is questionable for tonight’s matchup against the Cavaliers, marking Cleveland’s only regular-season visit to his home arena this year.
Looking at James’s season overall, he’s averaging 20.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. His shooting splits are 51.2% from the field and 31.4% from three-point range across 54 games. At 41, his level of play remains impressively high, ranking among the league’s top 25 players.
Legion Hoops highlighted that LeBron is just one win shy of becoming the NBA’s all-time leader in victories, set to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar potentially in this very game against Cleveland, a moment that feels almost storybook.
Besides James’s impact, the Lakers hold the third seed in the Western Conference with a 49-26 record after 75 games. Their recent form is strong, going 9-1 in the last ten games and riding a three-game winning streak. On their home court, Crypto.com Arena, they maintain a solid 25-12 record through 37 games.
After facing Cleveland, the Lakers will head out to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night.
On the Cavaliers’ side, they’re having a good season themselves, currently sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 47-28 record after 75 games. They’re coming off a two-game winning streak and have gone 7-3 in their last ten matches.
Law Murray from The Athletic shared some updates ahead of the game: Jaylon Tyson and Dean Wade won’t be playing tonight. Tyson is declared out for Cleveland, and Wade is also sidelined. Meanwhile, Jarrett Allen and Max Strus are expected to play after being rested the previous night against Utah. Sam Merrill, who struggled with his shooting last game, is also out.
Following their trip to Los Angeles, the Cavs will play on the road again Thursday night against the Golden State Warriors. Road games haven’t been an issue for them either, with a 23-14 record away from Ohio in 37 contests.
