Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups showed major respect for what Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was able to do at age 40 on Thursday night (40 points/8 rebounds/4 assists/2 steals/1 block/14-24 FG/4-8 3-PT/8-8 FT/+8 +/- in a 110-102 road win).
*only player in NBA history with multiple 40-point games at 40-years-old or older*
(via Portland Trail Blazers):
“Unbelievable, man. Unbelievable. In a time where some people don’t like to play back-to-backs or too many games or this or that, they played the night before in LA, lost a tough game, and he comes out and freakin’ has 40 against us. We tried our best on him. We did a lot. We scrapped. We went crazy. And he still ended up having 40 points. But it’s not only the points, it’s just how he manipulates you. He plays with his mind in an incredible way. So I tell people all the time, man, like, ‘Love or hate. Whatever it is. How you feel about LeBron James. Take advantage of having an opportunity to watch him right now, because when he’s gone and when he retires, who knows if we’ll ever see something else like him again in our lifetime?’ So I’m thankful that I’ve been a part of his journey on both sides of this thing the whole way, and he continues to impress all of us.”
