On Monday night, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 114-104, as they were paced by LeBron James’ 33 points and 14 assists.
After the game, James started hearing some MVP chants from a smattering of Lakers fans in the stands at AT&T Center.
"I just want to be able to not have any weaknesses… just trying to be the most complete basketball player I can be."
Hear from @KingJames following tonight's win. pic.twitter.com/9XmOiAgH8T
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) November 26, 2019
This happened as he was doing a postgame interview with Spectrum SportNet, a Los Angeles-based cable network that broadcasts Lakers games.
It’s no secret that the Purple and Gold are well represented all across our nation, even in hostile environments like San Antonio, Sacramento, Philadelphia and Boston.
James was especially effective on Monday with his 3-point shot, as he hit 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.
“I just want to be able to not have any weaknesses and allow a defense to dictate what I do,” James said about developing his outside stroke over the years. “Because of the Spurs and a lot of my [struggles in my] early years is part of the reason why my jump shot is a lot better today. My first Finals appearance in ’07 [San Antonio] went under [every screen] and I didn’t shoot the ball [well]. I wasn’t comfortable with shooting the ball at that point in time in my career. So I give a lot of thanks to their scheme, a lot of thanks to a lot of other teams that I went against. I’m just trying to be the most complete basketball player I can be.”
In his first several seasons in the NBA, James was indeed a mediocre 3-point shooter. But he gradually improved, and in the 2012-13 season, he shot 40.6 percent from downtown, en route to an NBA championship against the Spurs.
