By Jan Carlo Anolin
LeBron James caught the attention of everyone in the Staples Center after an electrifying highlight in the third quarter against Houston Rockets Thursday night.
Despite a 121-111 loss, James left a huge impact after slamming a two-handed reverse windmill that left the crowd and even the virtual world thrilled.
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers soars for the slam against the Houston Rockets on February 6, 2020 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. (Andrew D. Bernstein / NBAE via Getty Images / AFP)
Photographer Andrew D. Bernstein captured the moment with James on the center, aligning his jersey along with the retired numbers of former Lakers.
The 35-year-old James took it to social media and shared the same photo on Instagram.
“Win, Lose, or Draw I LOVE being able to play the game I fell in love with as a lil kid growing up back in the projects of Akron Ohio!” the three-time NBA champion captioned.
“So much damn happiness/fun it brings! LIVE.LAUGH.LOVE is the MOTTO,” he added, accompanied with the prayer hand, heart and crown emojis.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8QaZW4AQY_/
To add more twist, an ESPN report revealed that James seemed to recreate Kobe Bryant’s iconic dunk 19 years ago, November 18, 2001 to be exact, against the Sacramento Kings.
James and Bryant’s dunks both came in the third period, at the same venue and going in the same direction.
A tweet by the Lakers’ account paid homage to both occasions and posted a video that showed alternating clips of the dunks.
“Salute my brother!!” James later on said on another Instagram post.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8SZsjiAOKV/
NBA players and celebrities were quick to react to the video as the world continues to move on and heal from the death of Kobe, 13-year-daughter Gianna and seven others who perished in a tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.
Did LeBron James replicated the jam on purpose? Was he even aware? Only James can answer that.
https://twitter.com/espn/status/1226015135682236417
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