Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Lessons from win over the Dallas Mavericks

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on January 10, 2020 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 10: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on January 10, 2020 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Darren Carroll/NBAE via Getty Images) /

LeBron James is in “Playoff Mode” 38 games in and Los Angeles Lakers fans should be thrilled.

Remember last year when the Lakers struck out for Anthony Davis and LeBron broke out the “Playoff Mode” speech that had the NBA world snickering? Nobody believed that mess. Some members of Lake Show Life didn’t (Writer of this post game at the top of the list!).

Breaking News from Lake Show Life: LeBron James is out for revenge for anyone that dogged him last year. He wants the “Best Player in the World” title back and he’s putting in work to get it.

LeBron James was the best player on the floor with a stat line of 35 points, 16 rebounds and 7 assists. After 17 years, most would be shocked to believe that it’s the first time in his career that he scored as many points (35) with rebounds (16) in the same game in the regular season. He had accomplished it six times in the postseason. It’s also the first time a Laker put up a 35-15 line since Shaquille O’Neal back in 2003.

This is not about statistics here, it’s about the attitude. LeBron came out with a killer mentality and took care of business early. Lake Show Life knew the game was over when James started barking with Dallas head coach, Rick Carlisle.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1215868439115522048

Lakers fans, he cares. He REALLY cares. This game was hyped up for a showdown with a possible “replacement” to being the next great player to carry the NBA. It looked like James took the game personally. In one of the few games in his career, there was an underlying resentment that he took out on Dallas. As you see in most of his plays, the Mavs looked intimidated and they couldn’t stop him.

The message sent was, Luka Doncic is a great player with a bright future, but my time is now. Doncic tried to stay with him but to no avail. In all aspects, LeBron outplayed him and it wasn’t close.

LeBron James reached yet another milestone passing Michael Jordan for 4th on the all time field goal list. Next up is Wilt Chamberlain who is in 3rd place by about 500 baskets. After the game, LeBron expressed his feelings to ESPN’s Jorge Sedano.

Notice the mannerisms Lakers fans, this is the LeBron James you were looking for. He was suffering from flu-like symptoms, but if that’s the case, he would have scored 50.  It took a year and a lot of vicious comments, but he’s back. Enjoy!