“Hold his a**, this guy is trouble”: Lakers’ LeBron James gave props to Rockets center Christian Wood, asked Marc Gasol to front him on free throw

Lakers superstar LeBron James displayed the utmost respect to Rockets’ star in the making Christian Wood in their win last night.

In the darkness that is the Rockets’ season so far, there has been one shining light for them. The 25-year-old undrafted center has been making waves in the league over the past year or so. He’s scored 20 or more points in each of the team’s first 8 games and has been their most reliable player.

In the 7 games he’s played this season, he has been averaging 23.3 points and 9.7 rebounds. He is a shimmer of hope, in an otherwise bleak Rockets start, where James Harden has been looking not quite like himself.

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In tonight’s matchup against the defending champions, the Lakers, the Rockets’ big managed to score 23 points, while shooting 10-20 from the field. He was one of the only three Rockets’ players who managed to record a score in double digits, as LeBron James and the Lakers won the contest 120-102.

LeBron James shows Christian Wood the ultimate respect

LeBron James found himself at the free-throw line at the start of the second half. There he was seen telling Marc Gasol to ‘hold him down’ – ‘him’ referring to Christian Wood here. However, Wood seemed to gain more motivation from it, as he finished the night as the Rockets’ top scorer with 23 points.

“ok ok….hold him. hold his ass…[that] guy is trouble, hold him down.”

love this. LeBron knows how good Christian Wood has gotten. pic.twitter.com/4T3idlIjxt

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 11, 2021

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This just goes on to show how Wood’s talent is recognized by one of the game’s greatest talents. Wood should take it as a huge compliment and keep at his grind. The 25-year-old has a long way to go in becoming a truly elite player. But if he keeps working on his game, it wouldn’t be long before he makes it.

The Lakers face off against the Rockets again the day after, before they continue their road trip to Oklahoma.