Chauncey Billups was there when LeBron James was on his team more than 20 years ago. first NBA game, a preseason game in Detroit against Billups’ Pistons.
There he was again on Friday, now coaching the Trail Blazers in Portland, his beard mottled with gray spots, still watching James go to work.
Now, 7,351 days have passed in James’ legendary NBA career, but he is still contributing, leading the Lakers to a 107-95 victory in Portland, keeping the Lakers undefeated in the in-season tournament.
read more: Elliott: The Lakers need to get over the loss to the Kings. “We still have a lot of games to play”
After his quick layup, he shook his head. He pointed to his arm after a 3-pointer and flexed and shrugged after a contact play in the fourth quarter.
He finished with 35 points, tying his season high, while dishing out nine assists and showing only the slightest signs of slowing down in his 21st NBA season.
“To see that, to see him now, it’s unbelievable, man,” Billups said before the game. “The things that he’s been able to do, the things that he’s been able to continue to do. All of us, one day when we’re really old, we’re going to tell our grandchildren that we watched the whole movie. So we’re all very lucky to be able to do that. explain.”
The Lakers complete the group stage in the first in-season tournament against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday and can clinch a spot in the single-elimination bracket with a win.
The Lakers never trailed on Friday in Portland, with all eight key players in coach Davon Hamm’s rotation making positive contributions.
read more: ‘All the kids know who Uncle Shaq is’: Lakers legend helps fund new Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club arena
Cam Reddish’s offense helped the defense create a handful of the Trail Blazers’ 19 turnovers and finished with 27 points. Anthony Davis changed his shooting performance from a slow start and scored 16 points, 14 rebounds, 5 blocks and 3 steals. Christian Wood had his best game on the bench for the Lakers, finishing with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lakers play Houston on Sunday in Los Angeles.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things Lakers.
This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.