LOS ANGELES — LeBron James on Sunday offered a glimpse of what things might look like if he can lead the Los Angeles Lakers to an NBA championship.
Not so much as how he and the Lakers played as by how they celebrated.
A beaming James embraced teammate Tyson Chandler and the two men shouted joyously at each other amidst a cheering crowd of 18,997 at Staples Center. James scored the game-winning basket on a put-back dunk with 15.3 seconds left and Chandler’s last-second block preserved the 107-106 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
With the victory, the Lakers improved their record to 7-6 and moved above .500 for the first time since James joined the club.
So what was James shouting at Chandler after the 7-foot-1 center blocked Trae Young's flip shot down the lane?
“Honestly, I don’t know,’’ Chandler said while standing in front of his locker room. “We were like two kids jumping for joy.’’
On cue, James shouted from across the Lakers’ locker room and ended the mystery of what he'd shouted at Chandler.
“I said, ‘That’s my dawg! My dawg!’’ James said as Chandler broke into a grin.
On Oct. 30, Magic Johnson chewed out Lakers coach Luke Walton for the team’s 2-5 start. Since then, the Lakers are 5-1, with their only loss coming against the 12-1 Toronto Raptors.
Chandler, who joined the team three games ago, has played a significant role in the Lakers' recent surge — and gave reason for James to celebrate as if he was having Larry O’Brien Trophy flashbacks, or Larry O'Brien Trophy visions.
But before we get too carried away….
The Lakers’ victory Sunday came against the 3-10 Atlanta Hawks. They let a double-digit lead slip away in the fourth quarter, committed 22 turnovers and James missed more clutch free throws.
With the Lakers trailing 106-105 with 19.9 seconds left and James at the line, he missed both free throw attempts. He also missed two free throws with 12.8 seconds left in an overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs three games into the season.
“I’m garbage,’’ James said after the game. “I suck on my free throws. Everybody know. I needed my rhythm back.’’
Referring to James, Chandler said, “You know, we both want exactly the same thing, and that’s to turn (around) this historic franchise …and in order for that, you’ve got have these types of moments.’’
