Los Angeles Lakers’ debutant, LeBron James is still basking in the euphoria of his debut for the NBA franchise, in spite of ending up on the losing side.
James was not wont to shy away from excitement, as he roared back at ecstatic fans in the first few rows, as they gloated in seeing his LA career get underway.
He, Rajon Rondo and fellow veterans JaVale McGee, Lance Stephenson and Michael Beasley signed to team with the Lakers’ talented young core, and James was the focus on and off the court Sunday night.
He was cheered from the minute he ran onto the court with his new teammates for warm-ups, then played the first eight minutes before being subbed out of his side’s 124-107 loss to Denver Nuggets.
Playing in the same arena where NBA legend, Magic Johnson made his regular-season debut for Los Angeles 39 years ago, James captivated the crowd in the exhibition opener.
The opening tip came James’ way and he tapped it to fellow newcomer Rondo, who threw an alley-oop pass to McGee for the game’s first score.
James missed his first shot, a turnaround fade away, but then made a no-look bounce pass from about 27 feet out to Brandon Ingram for a dunk.
A minute later, James hit a long 3-pointer, then finished with nine points, three rebounds and four assists in just more than 15 minutes.
James, who was married at LA in 2013, left Cleveland Cavaliers for a four-year, $153.3 million free-agent deal with the Lakers.
The three-time NBA champion, four-time NBA MVP and 14-time All-Star said afterwards the he felt really good, believing that he played a little more than expected.
He added: “It was great feeling to go out there and hear the roar from the fans here. I very much appreciate it.
“It was great to get back on the floor and then just start a new journey for myself and hear the Lakers fans that we have here in San Diego.
“It always feels different for me anytime you change uniforms. It felt different when I changed from wearing a St. Vincent-St.
“Mary jersey to wearing a Cavs jersey from a Cavs jersey to a Heat jersey, back to a Cavs jersey and now being a Laker. It definitely feels different and takes a little bit of time getting used to.”
