CLEVELAND CAVALIERS STAR LeBron James described himself as ‘like fine wine’ after setting a new career-high for triple-doubles in a single NBA season.
James, 33, surpassed his tally of 13 from last term by posting 28 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in the Cavs’ 129-107 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.
The 15-year veteran denied an increase in possessions as a result of a raised tempo in the NBA was the reason for him putting up better stats in the latter stages of his career and offered an alternative suggestion.
You can just say I’m like fine wine, I get better with age. That’s what it says,” he told reporters. “More possessions my a**. I’m getting better with age, that’s what it’s saying.”
He added: “I think I was just playing in all three facets and more. I was able to get a charge as well, get a couple blocks, a couple steals.
“It’s just being around the court and being reliable to my team-mates. For me to be able to clean glass and get my guys good looks where they were able to just catch-and-shoot or catch and lay it up, it made it a lot easier for me for sure.
“With the scoring, I just tried to be aggressive and got to the free-throw line and was able to knock those down, too.”
James now has 69 career triple-doubles, placing him sixth on the all-time list behind Oscar Robertson (181), Magic Johnson (138), Jason Kidd (107), Russell Westbrook (100) and Wilt Chamberlain (78).
- Omni
They don’t make any Paul McGraths anymore!
David Luiz doesn’t look like the first cousin of a defender…
It’s not that defenders are overated, I’d say the likes of Kompany Thiago Silva and Lahm are rather underrated. People prefer to see ball playing centre backs but then hang these players out to dry when there’s defensive problems. There is definitely a shift in how they play but if you teach a dog to chase a ball will he be able to climb a tree? If you teach a defender to be skillful and use the ball efficiently can you expect him to put in tough tackles and be a defensive mind player? The game would do well to remember its roots and try and amend the lack of ‘no-nonsense’ defenders
The best defensively set up team out there has to be Atletico Madrid. Simeone has organisation drilled into every player who starts, particularly in the back line. Can anyone name a better defender at defending than Diego Godin?
Great article.
I’ll hand it to Paul, this was a good article.
Cannavaro had it all. He was irrational at times, but by god, he was brilliant.
On the one hand – the hard men at centre back was a great facet to the game.
On the other hand – Feck it, more goals per game.
I just wonder if the ever-decreasing tolerance for physicality in the game has simply lead to these types not being considered by scouts and coaches, in lieu of ball-players that’ll make defenders.
Good article, the all-nonsense David Luiz made me laugh.
I always loved Alessandro Nesta. A God of a defender!
Best article I’ve read here in a while…..Bravo!
Brilliant insight, had never thought of the Brazil/arsenal comparison.
I started reading this. I’m not long out if bed and a bit tired. Then I scrolled down and there was alot to read. So I stopped.