The links between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks stretch well beyond the Luka Doncic trade last year. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd was previously a Lakers assistant under Frank Vogel, who coincidentally is now an assistant under Kidd in Dallas. That time in L.A. allowed for Kidd to develop a relationship with Lakers superstar LeBron James, who he also played with on Team USA.
Kidd himself had a very long NBA career, but he understands that nobody in the history of this league has been able to remain as good as James has this deep into their career. And that was on full display during the Lakers’ victory as LeBron became the oldest player in league history to record a triple-double.
Following the contest, Kidd had nothing but praise for LeBron, calling it amazing for him to still be able to post a triple-double and continuing to play at this high of a level.
“It’s pretty impressive,” Kidd said. “I think, I might be wrong, he is leading the league in fast-break points. I think. Understanding he is playing the game at a high level at the age of 41, to put up a triple-double is really amazing. It just shows, for someone that has taken care of his body and mind up until this point, it’s unbelievable he’s playing at a high level.”
The level at which LeBron has taken care of his body and the work he puts in on a daily basis to prepare himself has been something everyone marvels at. It is impressive enough that he is still playing, especially considering that no other player has played 23 NBA seasons period. But for him to continue to be at this level, being named to his 22nd consecutive All-Star team, is just unfathomable.
Kidd has seen up close and personal the work that James puts in to do what he does on the court and there is a lot of love on both sides. And even though it came at the expense of his own team in a loss to the Lakers, Kidd can’t help but to respect what LeBron is doing and continues to do.
Lakers coach JJ Redick not taking LeBron James for granted
Jason Kidd wasn’t the only coach impressed by LeBron James’ outstanding performance as Lakers head coach JJ Redick praised the Lakers star for the work he puts in to get his body prepared, and made it clear that he doesn’t take what James does at this stage of his career for granted.
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