According to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic, Luka Doncic‘s father, Sasa, was amazed watching LeBron James work out four hours before the Los Angeles Lakers-Golden State Warriors game on February 6.
LeBron’s work ethic has been deemed unmatched in NBA circles.
“On the first night that Doncic was an official member of the storied franchise, the incumbent superstar, James, followed his regular pregame routine and took the floor at approximately 3:30 p.m. local time for a game against Golden State that was still four hours away,” Amick wrote. “This isn’t the norm in the NBA, where most players — Doncic among them — typically don’t hit the hardwood until about two hours before tipoff. But James, as we’ve come to learn in these past 22 seasons, is anything but normal.
“According to people who saw the scene unfold on Thursday night, Doncic’s attending family, including his father, Sasa, took notice of the dedication on display as they sat near the court. There was a sense of respect and amazement, the people said, with Sasa repeatedly turning around to watch James’ remarkable regimen.”
LeBron scored 42 points against the Warriors, becoming the oldest player in NBA history to score 40 points in a game.
NBA icon Michael Jordan, LeBron’s childhood hero, held the record before The King.
LeBron finished with 42 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists versus the Warriors while shooting 14-of-25 from the field, 6-of-9 from beyond the arc and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line.
LeBron, at 40 years and 38 days old, is about a month older than Jordan was when he scored 43 points on Feb. 21, 2003, for the Washington Wizards at 40 years and 4 days old.
Doncic made his Lakers debut on Monday (2/10) against the Utah Jazz. He finished with 14 points, five rebounds and four assists in 23 minutes while shooting 5-of-14 from the field, 1-of-7 from beyond the arc and 3-of-3 from the free-throw line.
The Lakers beat the Jazz by a final score of 132-113 to improve to 32-19. LeBron, the oldest player in the NBA, put up 24 points, seven rebounds and eight assists while shooting 10-of-17 overall, 3-of-7 from 3 and 1-of-2 from the foul line.
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