LeBron James reflects on MVP chants from LA Lakers fans, highlights team's problems against quick guards
LeBron James and the LA Lakers lost 116-111 to the shorthanded Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. The loss marked the Lakers’ fourth in five games. However, that didn’t stop Lakers fans from showing their support for James, who continues to put up impressive stat lines at age 38.
James finished with a game-high 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists, leading him to receive some MVP chants in the fourth quarter.
Following the game, LeBron James spoke about the support from fans. However, he noted that it doesn’t take much to earn MVP chants from Lakers fans:
"One thing about being a part of the Lakers is at some point, you make a few shots and you will hear MVP chants."
LeBron on hearing MVP chants in the fourth quarter: "One thing about being a part of the Lakers is at some point, you make a few shots, and you will hear MVP chants."
James also added that the Lakers must clean up on their mistakes if they wish to start winning games again:
“We’re definitely a ballclub that has zero room for error. We have to continue to play how we played the last couple of games and trying to play mistake-free basketball.”
With the loss, the Lakers fell to 20-25 and remained 13th in the Western Conference.
Meanwhile, Sacramento was led by star point guard De'Aaron Fox, who finished with 31 points and six assists on 56.5% shooting. Fox’s big night helped the Kings secure the win despite being without All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis, who was out due to an illness.
Kings coach Mike Brown said:
"Domantas is a huge part of our offense.”
He added:
“And to have Fox step up the way he did was fantastic. When we were down, he got us back in it and when it was close, he got us some separation.”
With the win, the Kings improved to 25-18 and are third in the West. They are now on a five-game winning streak.
Also read: Skip Bayless believes LeBron James' lack of "closer gene" led to loss against Sacramento
LeBron James calls De'Aaron Fox the fastest point guard in the NBA
When asked about De'Aaron Fox’s big night, LeBron James raved about the star point guard. He even went as far as to call Fox the fastest point guard in the NBA, according to Lakers reporter Cooper Halpern. James also compared Fox to Memphis Grizzlies All-Star point guard Ja Morant, whom the Lakers will face in their next game.
“Relating tonight's game to Friday's matchup against the Grizzlies, LeBron said that the ‘common denominator is a very explosive point guard.’ He called Fox the ‘fastest point guard in our league,’ and Ja the ‘most athletic’ one,” Halpern reported.
Relating tonight's game to Friday's matchup against the Grizzlies, LeBron said that the "common denominator is a very explosive point guard." He called Fox the "fastest point guard in our league," and Ja the "most athletic" one.
The Lakers will face off against Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies at home on Friday. Memphis is second in the West at 31-13 and riding high on an 11-game winning streak. So things may get worse before they get better for LA.
Also read: Russell Westbrook opens up on LA Lakers' late-game struggles: "Down the stretch, you have to make winning plays"