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dave mcmenamin
multiple authors
Houston — after Lebron James led the Los Angeles Lakers to one 98-78 win on game 6 rockets In securing his first-round series win on Friday, the 41-year-old gave himself a rare example of achieving the feat.
“It’s not my style at all,” James told ESPN after posting 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in the Finals win. “I personally feel like accepting the little wins and trying to be okay with them is what’s best in my career. Understanding, who knows how many more playoff series I’m going to be a part of? If I play one or two or three more seasons, it doesn’t guarantee me being in the postseason. So just trying to appreciate those moments, whatever they are, as long as I’m playing.
“It’s great to have an opportunity at 41 years old to be able to take a team to the playoffs and win it.”
According to ESPN Research, James became the oldest player in NBA history to lead all players in total points in a playoff series, scoring 139 in the defensive battle between the two teams.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said, “Literally every single guy was saying ‘Baahhhh, baaaahhh,’ imitating the goat sounds the team made when entertaining James after the game. “I mean, it shows his greatness. To me, he’s had the greatest career of any NBA player.”
Considering that James entered this season opting out of the final year of his contract to remain in L.A., with his agent and Klutch Sports CEO, Rich Paul, issuing championship directives for his client, there was no small change in tune on Friday.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania in June. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values the realistic possibility of winning everything.”
James, a four-time champion, continues to add to his Hall of Fame resume in 2025-26 by becoming the first player to play 23 seasons and the all-time leader in games played and field goals made. He seemed to value the journey this season, no matter his destination at the end of these playoffs.
Over the past two months, James has slipped from back to third in the pecking order luka doncic And Austin Reeves And while leading that role to a 16-2 mark through March, Doncic and Reeves were injured in the same game on April 2. oklahoma city thunderWhich meant he needed to step up again to become the team’s No. 1 option.
“I mean, being able to experience something [new]It was just different for me,” James told ESPN. “In March, it was a completely different role for me. It was extremely uncomfortable, but comfortable. I had to participate in that. But she was also winning. That’s all I care about. But at the same time I knew I could give more. But perhaps giving more was not appropriate for our team. And I accepted it and had no problem with it. Not from the team aspect, I agreed with it. I was able to put my ego aside for the good of the team, understanding that I could do it.”
James followed the plan set by Redick, put the ball back in his hands and increased his offensive role. marcus smart And Luke Kennard Asking the team to still commit defensively just helped the team figure it out.
“For us to come out a couple weeks early and win a playoff series is huge,” Redick said after Friday’s game. “And it speaks to the character of our team and our team leaders. They didn’t give up.”
As James sat in his seat in the visitors’ locker room at Toyota Center and scanned the players jackson hayes, Jake Laravia and his son bronnie jamesThose surrounding him acknowledged what the group had accomplished in defeating the Rockets.
“There are still moments like this to come [is special],” James said. “We got some guys, this is their first time winning a playoff series. That— means something to me. Bronny, he played meaningful minutes in the playoff series. So, that’s great. I can’t even say that it is not so. this is dope.”
LA finished Houston’s season with a strong defense, anchored by deandre aytonOne-on-one coverage against alperen sengunWho tore L.A. apart with his passing when he doubled in Game 5, but was held to only one assist in Game 6. Smart had two steals and two blocks, and Reeves, playing in his second game after missing four weeks due to a Grade 2 left oblique strain, had three blocks. The rockets fired only 35%.
“I took the challenge seriously,” Ayton said. “Just having the team on my back and them trusting me. …Honestly, that’s really what drives everything.”
Rui Hachimura Pouring in 21 points and shooting 5 of 7 from 3, Reaves scored 15 points and the Lakers committed only 11 turnovers, their fewest in the series.
That gave the Lakers a second-round date with the defending champion Thunder and a few days off before Tuesday’s Game 1.
Oklahoma City defeated the Lakers by an average of 29.3 points in their 4–0 regular season sweep, making the upcoming Western Conference Semifinals the most lopsided matchup in terms of regular season point differential.
“I don’t want to speak too far in advance,” James said when asked about the Thunder series. “Obviously, once we get into it, probably on Sunday, we’ll get into it.”
