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Boston Celtics star Kemba Walker finally did it. He finally beat LeBron James.
I say finally because Walker, who spent his first eight NBA seasons with the Charlotte Hornets before signing with the Celtics last summer, had faced LeBron 28 times before Monday night and amazingly lost every single one of those 28 games.
Let that sink in for a moment – 0-28!
Walker’s fortunes changed Monday in Boston when the Celtics destroyed LeBron and the Lakers. Boston had a 24-point lead through three quarters and then had no problem holding on for the 139-107 victory.
Could you imagine what that streak must have felt like? Walker must have been wondering if he’d ever get a W against one of the best players to ever step on a basketball court.
He must have seen LeBron in his nightmares.
He must have tried to ignore the schedule each year, not wanting to know when LeBron was going to hand him another L.
And he must have loved it when his teammate, Jaylen Brown, posterized LeBron in the third quarter with a powerful two-handed dunk.
Walker, who had 20 points and 7 assists in the win, now has a serious team around him, as the Celtics are one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics, who snapped a three-game losing streak Monday night, could very well emerge from the East and possibly play the Lakers again in the Finals, which would be insane. Also, Milwaukee will have a big say in the Celtics ever having that chance.
But I can’t think of a more demoralizing stat in sports than that 0-28 one that Walker finally got off his back.
It has to be how the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills feel about Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
Or how the Cincinnati Bengals feel about anyone, really.
Walker had fun with it after the game, saying:
“He’s beaten a lot of people. I bet you, not a lot of guys have a winning record against LeBron James. I’m happy I got one at least before he goes. Who knows how long he can play; he’s just incredible. It’s only one; one and 28… I’m with a new team so I’m 1-0 to tell you the truth.”
Yup, that has to finally feel pretty good.
Monday’s biggest winner: Not James Harden!
The Houston Rockets star had a horrific shooting night in a bad loss to the Thunder as he went 1-for-17 from 3-point land. Yikes. It’s the third time in his career that he’s tied the NBA record for most missed threes in a game and it led to NBA Twitter absolutely crushing him for it. Not great!
Quick hits: Mahomes listened to Brady… Can 49ers do the impossible?… NFL spoof video is too good… And more!
– Patrick Mahomes said he took a lot from his meeting with Tom Brady after last year’s AFC title game.
– Steven Ruiz wonders if this 49ers D can’t stop the Chiefs will anyone ever be able to?
– This spoof video of how NFL players dress for games is too good. The ones of Russell Wilson before and after meeting Ciara steal the show.
– Vegas thinks Super Bowl 54 is going to be awesome, which is awesome.
– Joe Montana made the perfect joke about the Chiefs-49ers matchup.
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