Having lost 4 of their last 5 clashes, the Los Angeles Lakers didn’t look like the favourites to win in their matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. However, much to everyone’s surprise, LeBron James and co. put on a sensational performance to upset Taylor Jenkins’ boys.
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An action-packed thriller from start to end witnessed a total of merely 3 lead changes and 3 ties. Thanks to the heroics of Dennis Schroder in the final seconds, the Purple & Gold grabbed a 122-121 win, snapping the Tennessee-based franchise’s 11-game win streak.
That’s Tuff 🔥💯 #LakersWin pic.twitter.com/rktu9YCg5u
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 21, 2023
Skip Bayless attacks LeBron James despite the Lakers’ win
The high-scoring bout saw 5 players record 20-point games. LeBron was one of them. Playing a game-high 36:32 minutes, the King had 23 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
Even though Bron managed to stuff the stat sheet in a huge win, his efficiency from the 3-point land is still very concerning. LBJ managed only to knock down 1 out of his 5 attempts from beyond the arc, making this his 7th game since the new calendar year with less than 23% 3FG.
Skip Bayless didn’t miss out on his chance to slaughter the 4-time MVP for his awful long-distance shooting. Implying that the 18-time All-Star was the worst 3P shooter in the NBA, the UNDISPUTED analyst went on to laud Schroder for the late and-one.
WHAT A COMEBACK FOR THE LAKERS. Thought they had lost when LeBron missed that 3 (he went 1-5 from 3, still worst in the NBA). But Schroder is so clutch from late-game free-throw line and made the steal and slipped home the drive shot and one that won it.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) January 21, 2023
“It calls for me to be extraordinary at times”: LeBron on playing shorthanded
With Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, and Lonnie Walker IV sidelined with injuries for the past few games, James has visibly been carrying a majority of the team’s offensive load. Talking about his role when his teammates are injured, the 4-time champ stated that the job required him to be extraordinary.
“That’s what the job is called for right now. That’s my job description. It calls for me to go out and be extraordinary at times. It is what it is.”
“That’s my job description… it calls for me to go out and be extraordinary at times.” @KingJames on his workload to help balance unfortunate teammate injuries. pic.twitter.com/BOQvA4WXoR
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) January 21, 2023
Clearly, an “extraordinary” LBJ isn’t enough for the California-based franchise to win games. Yes, the future Hall-Of-Famer is averaging 29.8/8.4/7, however, LAL is still sitting 13th in the West with a horrific 21-25 record.
Also Read: Arsenal Legend Thierry Henry Cites the King’s Mentality as Reason for Greatness
