The Los Angeles Lakers were rolling, already 21 points at the Houston Rockets in the second quarter on Tuesday, when LeBron James took the display of dominance to another ridiculous level.
After picking up a feed in the corner in front of the Lakers’ bench, James used a fake bomb to line up a 3-point ball when he heard a voice in his ear coming from behind him. It was the Lakers’ guard, Dennis Schroder.
“I told him to bet Benjamin on it, so he shot,” said Schroder after LA’s 117-100 victory. “He shot and turned and said, ‘Bet.’ So, he came in. It’s just legendary. “
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LeBron James says that Dennis Schroder bet he wouldn’t make a 3 without looks while shooting. It also addresses comparisons with Steph Curry’s 3 no-show points.
It wasn’t just making a 3 over Ben McLemore to double the Rockets 48-24 score that was memorable. It was the delivery. See, James turned to Schroder to receive the $ 100 while the ball was still in the air.
“I made the bet while I was still kicking the ball,” said James, finishing with 26 points while the Lakers improved their league best record to 9-3. “A bet is not official until you look a man in the eye, so I had to look him in the eye and I was able to win that.”
There was an immediate appreciation for the showmanship of James’ teammates.
“He is one of the best to play this game, and the things he does are always crazy to watch in real time,” said Kyle Kuzma.
In a sport where players are taught to follow their shots from a young age, what James did is not something you see very often. Gilbert Arenas once broke out in a third decisive game. Former Lakers point guard Nick Young famously backfired when his backfired. And Stephen Curry, considered the greatest sniper the game has ever known, will do that from time to time.
“Steph [has] it was definitely probably what he did most in our league, and when you kick the ball as beautiful and effortlessly and just as Steph does, he has the ultimate ultra-green light to do that, “said James of his former opponent in the finals of the NBA. ” Because 10 times out of nine, you’re going to Steph. “
And James, who scored 4 of 9 against 3 on Tuesday – losing the chance of 1 of 11 in his last two rock bottom games – also got the green light. Whether it’s spinning while the ball is in mid-flight or pulling the logo to let it fly, as it has done with increasing frequency.
“We are encouraging him to win the defenses over the top,” said Lakers coach Frank Vogel. “There are several reasons for this: (A) he is probably the best sniper on our team. And (B) they play him smoothly. They go under his screens. … In terms of the ‘four point’ kicks he catch it, it has the green light to catch them because it makes them. “
James’ no-look 3 made the Rockets in free fall – now 3-6 after losing four in their last five – looking silly.
“I don’t feel well. Of course not,” said Houston coach Stephen Silas. “They are obviously a united group and are having fun at our expense. So it’s not good, and we should resent it. It’s like they’re dancing on our court. We just have to fight. We have to fight it.”
The Lakers ‘bench exploded after the shot, with several of James’ teammates chasing him on the court as he ran back to the defense. Vogel and James said that part of the team’s mission this season is to rebuild the chemistry that helped get them into the championship last year. Moments like this unite the group.
“Everyone had fun,” said Schroder. “Everyone was talking about it, even during breaks. It was quite a game.”
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon contributed to this report.