Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts

LeBron helps Lakers past Cavs in Cleveland return

NBA news: LeBron James returned to Cleveland and helped the Los Angeles Lakers to a 109-105 win over the Cavaliers on Wednesday.

By Opta
LeBron James

LA, November 22: LeBron James returned to Cleveland and helped the Los Angeles Lakers to a 109-105 win over the Cavaliers on Wednesday.

James got a warm welcome on his return to Quicken Loans Arena before posting 32 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists.

NBA: Story of the Day - LeBron dominates on return to Cleveland with Lakers

It was the Lakers' eighth win in their past 10 games as they improved to 10-7 this season.

Cleveland hold few grudges with this decision

It was widely documented that Cleveland was not a fan of James' exit in 2010. Fans burned his old Cavaliers jerseys and the team's owner penned a letter vilifying James' decision.

That was not the case this time, though.

There were few boos, if any, when James was introduced and there was a heartfelt tribute played during a timeout in the first quarter which really did do his time in Cleveland justice.

Cleveland may not be happy that James left, but it is pretty clear the city understood why he went to Los Angeles. Plus, a championship goes a long way in helping people accept a departure of a player the calibre of James.

The Lakers have work to do

While 17 games is a very small sample size, it is clear the idea saying James could join any team and make it a contender may be a bit far fetched.

James is undoubtedly the best player in the game and he can win any game he wants when he wants to, but he does not have even close to the kind of help he needs to win the Western Conference.

Los Angeles still struggle to shoot and really had problems in the first half, shooting less than 30 per cent from beyond the arc (four of 14). The Lakers are 11th in three-point shooting percentage and tied for 15th in three-pointers made per game. Those numbers simply will not work for a James-led team in the long run.

Beyond that, while guys like Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart are all talented, they may never be that second fiddle James really needs. Los Angeles has to get a big free agent this offseason, or make a huge trade at the deadline to make this team a contender – and the Lakers should know that was how it would be, it is just something that cannot be forgotten as James' career in Los Angeles develops.

Collin Sexton isn't Kyrie Irving

No one is confusing Collin Sexton with Kyrie Irving, let us be clear about that.

Other than their handles and explosiveness, there really is not that much of a comparison to draw between the two players.

Sexton is so much fun to watch as he competes and is a very good defender, but his shot needs work and he is a long way from being able to take over a game like his skill set could allow. And, while it took James a Cleveland team with Irving to truly become good, Irving may have been on the cusp of making the Cavaliers a playoff team virtually on his own.

Unless Sexton becomes a better shooter really quickly, that is going to be very tough for him to do.

The Cavaliers will have to draft very well in the coming years to get him the necessary help – that means not passing on a Giannis Antetokounmpo in favour of Anthony Bennett. Koby Altman has a challenge in the next couple of seasons and we will see if he can get the job done.

Sexton was a good start.

Story first published: Thursday, November 22, 2018, 12:19 [IST]
Other articles published on Nov 22, 2018