In honor of becoming the first player ever to play in 23 NBA seasons, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is sporting a special edition patch on his jersey. He debuted it in the Lakers’ contest against the Sacramento Kings on Monday night as part of a collaboration with the NBA and Topps.
James has continued to make history in recent years and has also somehow remained amongst the NBA’s elite players. Most never even approach 23 years in the NBA and those who have come close are usually a shell of the player were in their prime. But somehow LeBron has continued to defy logic and be one of the best players in the league.
No player has ever received a patch to wear on their jersey like this and the Lakers superstar admitted to be humbled and grateful at being honored in this way, via Spectrum SportsNet:
“Just super cool, super surreal, super humbled, blessed. I walked in here and seen it for the first time, it was an emotional moment as well. Just think about the journey thus far and have an opportunity to be here where it kinda all started, obviously at Oracle, but in this city. I just started thinking about from the beginning to where we are now. It’s been a heck of a journey and people that’s followed my career and my fans that followed my career again, they’re getting an opportunity to be a part of it. Thomas did a great job with that situation and the NBA getting involved, like I said, super grateful and super surreal.”
Unfortunately for James and the Lakers, the debut of this patch came in a loss to the Kings. LeBron did finish with 22 points along with four rebounds and three assists, but his outside shot wasn’t falling as he missed all five of his 3-point attempts.
Even still, it has been a truly incredible journey for LeBron over the past 23 years as he somehow exceeded the impossible expectations placed on him upon entering the league. And even at this stage he continues to try and push the Lakers to greater heights amongst the NBA’s elite teams.
After each game, the patches will be turned into a trading card with Topps turning them into a collector’s item that will surely be a hot commodity.
Giannis Antetokounmpo looks up to Lakers’ LeBron James
Because he has been in the league for so long, it makes sense that many of today’s top young players grew up watching James. That is the case for even some of the NBA’s biggest stars as Milwaukee Bucks superstar and two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo admitted that he looks up to him.
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