"He's an alien, y'all" - Jeff Teague hilariously mimics the time LeBron James stayed in the game with a rolled ankle
LA Lakers superstar forward LeBron James is set to make history next season by playing in his NBA record-tying 22nd season. Ahead of the milestone, ex-Atlanta Hawks star point guard Jeff Teague humorously recounted how durable James was during the prime of his career.
Upon being drafted No. 1 by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA draft, James played 75-plus games in each of his first eight seasons. The four-time MVP also suited up in 74-plus contests in 13 of his first 15 seasons, with one of his two sub-70-game campaigns coming during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season.
On the "Club 520 Podcast" earlier this month, Teague and his co-hosts discussed whether James is the "healthiest NBA player ever." While doing so, the former All-Star recounted a time James played through a severe ankle injury during his tenure with the Miami Heat (2010 to 2014).
According to Teague, he and his then-Hawks teammates were certain James was done for the game. However, to their surprise, he shook off the injury and continued playing unfazed.
"This n**ga rolled his ankle. I swear to God, that *b**ch touched the floor. We weren't hyped he was hurt, but we were like, 'He's out. We're about to win this game. He's out,'" Teague said.
"No bulls**t, I ain't lying. N**ga did like this [neck stretch]. N**ga started wiggling his foot and stayed in the game. ... I was like, 'He's an alien, y'all.' I said, 'He's not real, bro.' ... [He came back] running faster, he came back stronger."
The superstar forward's remarkable durability continued past his Miami tenure. In Year 15, during his second stint with Cleveland, James played a full 82-game season for the first time despite being 33 years old. His career durability ranks him sixth on the NBA's all-time regular-season games played list (1,492 games) entering Year 22.
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Jeff Teague in awe of LeBron James still performing at an elite level entering Year 22
Jeff Teague also raved about LeBron James' durability during Monday's edition of his podcast.
Teague noted that seeing James dominate for Team USA during its five-game pre-Olympic showcase schedule after another All-NBA campaign left him in awe.
"You know how much respect I just gained for LeBron?" Teague said. "... To think that this n**ga is 40 and he's on the Olympic team, top five in the league still, s**t like that, like godd**n, n**ga, tell me the f**king secret."
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James is coming off his NBA record 20th All-Star selection and record-extending 20th All-NBA selection. Meanwhile, he carried Team USA to victories in its last two exhibition matchups against South Sudan and Germany.
So, the four-time NBA champion has shown no signs of slowing down as he approaches age 40.
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