LeBron James’ 10 best performances of the season

1. James emerges victorious against the reigning MVP (03/06/20)

After draining a 3-pointer to put the Milwaukee Bucks up 14 in an eventual December win over the Lakers, Giannis Antetokounmpo seemed to have placed a fake NBA crown on his head, signaling an unofficial changing of the guard and the dawn of a new era in the league.

Giannis was well within his right to do so, the reigning league MVP who was on pace to lead Milwaukee to the best record in the NBA for the second consecutive season.

In the ensuing matchup between the two best records in the NBA, LeBron made sure to emphatically take back the throne, doing so on both ends in a way that has become infrequent in recent years.

He poured in 37 points, 25 of which came in the second half, on 12-of-21 shooting with eight rebounds, eight assists and three steals across 36 minutes.

Yet even more unexpected than his third-highest scoring-total of the season coming against the league’s top defense was James’ willingness and success when it came to slowing down Antetokounmpo in the 113-103 victory.

LeBron guarded Giannis across 23.5 partial possessions, more than double the next closest defender. The Greek Freak was just 2-of-8, unable to bulldoze his way to the rim with one make in five attempts from beyond the arc.

It was a level of two-way brilliance he can only empose so many times with his mileage. What this game showed was just because James chooses not to, that doesn’t mean he can’t when deemed necessary for statements like the one made in this game.