CAMDEN, N.J. — Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is still one of the best players in the game at age 38 and Year 21 as a professional, which is astonishing considering the grind of the season and how long he’s been doing it for.
In Year 21, James has shown no signs of slowing. He’s averaging 25.5 points, 8 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.5 steals. He’s bringing the ball up, he’s playing the wing and he’s posting defenders up as well.
As the Sixers and coach Nick Nurse strategize for James on Monday night, the coach understands the complexity of the challenge that awaits him and his team.
“I mean, listen, I think the biggest thing with him is you basically are in every possible situation you can be in defensively, right?” Nurse said of James. “He’s gonna bring it in transition. He’s going to post you. He’s going to handle in the pick-and-roll. He’s going to set in the pick-and-roll. He’s going to catch it at the elbow. He’s gonna catch it at the nail.”
Nurse is correct in his James assessment. There is so much he does on the offensive end of the floor. He rolls to the basket on those pick-and-rolls and is an elite finisher. He’s such an elite passer and a supremely smart player that he’s very tough to defend in those situations.
James does all of this despite being in Year 21 in the league. He has been phenomenal, and it’s why he’s considered one of the greatest to ever play the game.
“You gotta have eyes on — it’s lengthy — when he handles, they’re gonna set with the 5 and they’re gonna set with the 1,” Nurse added. “Just like everything. So it’s a long defensive game plan whenever you play him. Yeah, unbelievable. 21 years. Unbelievable what he’s done.”
The Sixers and the Lakers will tip off at 7 p.m. EST from the Wells Fargo Center on Monday.
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