The Los Angeles Lakers got back to winning ways on Sunday night as they rolled past the Brooklyn Nets, 116-104. LeBron James had another majestic performance as he once again defied the rules of time. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer dropped 40 points for a third time this season in a superb display of scoring efficiency against Brooklyn.
While most of us are asking how James continues to reach insane heights at the age of 39, it’s actually quite the opposite for Nets interim head coach Kevin Ollie.
Kevin Ollie Questions Age of Los Angeles Lakers Superstar LeBron James
Ollie had the privilege of playing alongside LeBron during the latter’s rookie year with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Speaking to reporters ahead of Sunday’s clash, the 51-year-old coach revealed how he initially did not believe that James was already 18 years old when he entered the NBA back in 2003:
“When I first [saw] him, I was like, ‘There’s no way this kid is this age he’s saying he is.’ I always wanted to check his birth certificate,” Ollie said.
"When I first [saw] him, I was like, 'There's no way this kid is this age he's saying he is.' I always wanted to check his birth certificate."
Kevin Ollie on playing for the Cavs when LeBron James came in as a rookie 😅
(via @erikslater_) pic.twitter.com/Ml6REQDk24
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 31, 2024
Ollie moved on from the Cavs after the 2003-04 season so his time with LeBron was short-lived. However, it is clear that the four-time NBA champ left quite an impression on his former teammate.
Ollie also had nothing but high praise for James before Sunday’s contest, noting how the Lakers superstar has achieved so many great things through the years.
Unfortunately for Ollie and the Nets, LeBron’s greatness was on full display against them on Sunday. They simply had no answer for James, who willed the Lakers to a crucial win with 40 points on 13-of-17 shooting, nine triples, seven rebounds, and five assists in 37 minutes of action.
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