[ad_1]
Entering the 2019-20 season, it was debated who had the mantle as the best player in the NBA.
With Kawhi Leonard fresh off a Finals MVP performance in the Toronto Raptors’ title race and Giannis Antetokounmpo preparing back-to-back MVP seasons, LeBron James’s reign at the top of the NBA seemed to have several contenders for the crown. , especially after the Lakers’ absence from the playoffs in 2018-19.
However, as in years past, LeBron rose to the occasion, reshaping his game to become the best point guard in the league while taking control of the Lakers offense. He then led the league in assists and led the Los Angeles Lakers to the top of the Western Conference, creating a championship combination with big man Anthony Davis.
MORE: After handing over a title to Los Angeles, LeBron has established himself as a member of the Lakers family
With his fourth championship win under his belt, we take a look at some of his most memorable moments of the season, where LeBron reminded everyone that he remains the center of the NBA universe until proven otherwise.
You could probably pick 50 moments from this season, but we’re shooting with five that stood out:
Powerful post-up vs. New Orleans Pelicans
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IG9IucJf-U
In what was dubbed the present meets the future in the first meeting between LeBron James and the No. 1 pick, Zion Williamson, the King put on a monstrous performance, just to remind everyone that his time is still now.
LeBron exploded for a regular season record of 40 points with 63% shooting, eight rebounds and six assists, intimidating the smaller Pelicans defenders in the post, no matter who they threw at.
In the process, James became the first player to score 40 points in his seventeenth season or later since Kobe Bryant in 2013, posting his 65th career 40-point game in a 119-108 victory.
Clippers-Bucks Weekend
As mentioned above, Giannis Antetokounmpo had a hand on the MVP trophy mid-season, but as LeBron continued to defend the award, he came close to changing the script in the narrative with two highly successful performances in the space of three days against his closest rivals: Kawhi’s Clippers and Giannis’ Bucks.
First, he dismantled the Bucks in a 113-103 win, coming out for 37 points (25 in the second half), eight assists and eight rebounds as he clamped Antetokounmpo defensively in the second half.
He then followed that a couple of days later, giving the Clippers similar treatment in a 112-103 win, finishing with 28 points, nine assists and eight rebounds.
“It was amazing,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said. “In my opinion, this season, this was his best two-game streak. He really dominated, dominated, both games.”
Leading his team to victory against two favorite teams to win the title, with the reigning MVP of the Finals and the reigning MVP of the regular season, LeBron’s dominant weekend was a reminder not only for his rivals, but for all, that it is far from over.
19 assists in his career against the Orlando Magic
“Adaptability is being able to adapt to any situation at any time.” John Wooden.
That’s exactly what LeBron did this season.
LeBron’s 2019-20 campaign saw him take on the role of de facto point guard for the Lakers, running in tandem with the great Anthony Davis and his willingness to modify his game and lean on perhaps his greatest strength, his passing, only further illustrated. your search. for greatness in the year 17.
In a loss to the Orlando Magic, with Anthony Davis on the sidelines, LeBron dished out 19 assists, the most of his career, matching a mark he previously set at Cleveland in 2018.
Struggling with his shot on the night, hitting 7 of 19 from the field and 2 of 9 from the 3-point line, LeBron knew he had to get his teammates going as they erased an 87-66 deficit at beginning of the season. fourth trimester.
His comeback eventually fell short as LeBron missed a potential triple that ties the game with three seconds to go, but in a season in which he led the league by ten cents (10.2), this game stands out as his best performance in the league. play creation. the season.
All-NBA # 17
Rewriting the record books is nothing new for LeBron James, and the 2019-20 season was no different.
In his 17th season, LeBron claimed the record for the most All-NBA picks, with his 16th. He was inducted into the NBA first team for the thirteenth time in his career, beating NBA legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant for the most NBA picks in a career.
17 seasons.
16 All-NBA teams.
Another milestone for @King James 👏 pic.twitter.com/kHZjWZqzS1–NBA TV (@NBATV) September 16, 2020
Only 18 players in NBA history have won more than 10 All-NBA picks with LeBron the only active player on the roster.
Greatness.
Closing Game 5 vs. Denver Nuggets
LeBron is no stranger to dominating the closing games in the postseason, but his performance in Game 5 against the Nuggets showed he still had several gears left in his quest for a championship as he just tore them apart.
He scored 38 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists to seal his way to a tenth appearance in the Finals and ninth in the past 10 years.
LeBron took over the game with a two-minute stretch in the fourth quarter, where he scored nine points on four straight field shots to take the lead from nine to 12 points, with his last shot a dagger from the 3-point line for send the ball. Nuggets at home.
BRON. CLOSE. 👑 pic.twitter.com/bxlaTeSVsP
– NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) September 27, 2020
Views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA or its clubs.
