Could we be witnessing the passing of the torch in the NBA right before our eyes? LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were not only upset by Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves, they were sent packing via a gentleman's sweep.
And while LeBron played well enough for a 40-year-old, he is still just that — 40 years old. The end of his reign as the face of the NBA is nigh.
LeBron himself said that he continues to play because he doesn't feel that any player has truly surpassed him for that title. However, it seems after Edwards averaged 26.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game in the series, the King is realizing that the next generation might just be more ready than he thought.
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LeBron and Anthony Edwards share special postgame moment
Edwards put on a show in a crucial comeback win in Game 4. He put up 43 points on 12-for-23 shooting from the field. That included 16 points on 4-for-7 shooting from the field in the final frame, when the aging James was clearly feeling the fatigue (he was 0-for-2 for zero points in the quarter).
Edwards arguably showed his growth as a player even more in Game 5. He scored just 15 points and went 0-for-11 from deep, but he proved he can affect the game in a bevy of ways with 11 rebounds, eight dimes and three steals.
James was impressed. After the game, he gave Ant Man some words of encouragement as they dapped up on the court.
"Make the next step now," cameras caught James saying.
For those who like to read into things like this, it could definitely be viewed as LeBron giving the 23-year-old burgeoning superstar his stamp of approval. Edwards didn't just beat LeBron in this series, he also went at him personally, much like he did with Kevin Durant last year.
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The moment was also reminiscent of one that came in 2021 when Durant had similar words of encouragement for Giannis Antetokounmpo after the Greek Freak beat Durant's Brooklyn Nets in a scintillating series. Giannis went on to win the championship that year thanks to an iconic Finals MVP performance.
Edwards will hope that he is on a similar trajectory. He and the Wolves will have an extra day or two to rest as they await the winner of the Houston Rockets-Golden State Warriors series in Round 2.
James, meanwhile, will contemplate his NBA future and mortality. He has a player option of over $50 million to remain with the Lakers next year, or he could hit the open market.
Our money is on James staying in L.A. and letting Luka Doncic take the reins moving forward.
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