The NBA In-season tournament inaugural edition ended on Saturday, with the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers emerging as the inaugural winners. The tournament gave LeBron a chance to cement his legacy in the NBA and also an opportunity to strengthen his GOAT claims.
LeBron James, playing in his 21st NBA season, is the oldest player, and has been widely dubbed as the goat. While he led the Lakers to win the NBA Cup, a former NFL superstar, an analyst, and a big fan of LeBron James has added a bit of comedy as he celebrates the King’s recent achievement.
Shannon Sharpe reacts to LeBrons’ victory
The NBA Goat debate between LeBron James and Michael Jordan has always been a one-sided affair as far as Shannon Shape is involved. He has grown from just being a fan to a friend, who can do anything to protect the interest of a man he called the ‘GOAT’ anytime and anywhere.
After the Lakers secured victory in the NBA’s inaugural in-season tournament, Shannon Sharpe seized the opportunity to showcase his ‘GOAT’ mask on Monday morning’s First Take. Known for championing LeBron James as the greatest player in NBA history, Sharpe used the Lakers’ triumph over the Pacers on Saturday to reinforce his argument, creating a humorous moment on the ESPN set. Returning from a commercial break, Sharpe sported a goat’s head mask and promptly launched into a discussion about ‘GOAT James.’
Stephen A. Smith struggled to contain his amusement, while host Molly Qerim found herself nearly in tears from laughter. This wasn’t the first time Sharpe had unveiled the mask; he had previously worn it during debates with Skip Bayless on Undisputed.
However, introducing it on First Take with Stephen A. and the rest of the team added an extra layer of boldness, eliciting the desired reaction from Sharpe.
Smith, still amused, inquired about the origin of the mask, exclaiming, “You are unbelievable, man. Where the hell did you find that mask?” Qerim pointed out that Sharpe was the first person ever to wear a mask on the show’s set.
According to Sharpe, this amusing costume won’t be a one-time occurrence on the First Take set. “I told you GOAT James was going to make several appearances!” Sharpe declared.
LeBron James clinches In-Season Tournament MVP
When Adam Silver awarded LeBron James the inaugural In-Season Tournament MVP, he jokingly mentioned that the trophy “didn’t come with a franchise.” LeBron James extended his on-court accomplishments on Saturday by helping emerge victorious over the Indiana Pacers at T-Mobile Arena. Additionally, James successfully outperformed Tyrese Haliburton, the dynamic young point guard for Indiana, and claimed the In-Season Tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.
James didn’t limit his stellar performances to the Las Vegas semifinals and finals. Throughout the tournament, he maintained an impressive average of 26.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists, boasting a shooting accuracy of 56.8% from the field and 60.6% on three-pointers. His contributions propelled the Lakers to a flawless 7-0 record through the group stage and Knockout Round.
In the final match, James’ teammate Anthony Davis posted remarkable statistics: 41 points, 20 rebounds, and four blocked shots. Despite Davis’ outstanding performance, James’ consistent excellence throughout the tournament earned him recognition.
He contributed 24 points, 11 boards, and four assists, with 16 of his 24 points coming in the second and third quarters, securing a 90-82 lead for the Lakers entering the final quarter. James concluded the night with a +19 plus/minus rating, bringing his tournament total to +118.
Approaching his 39th birthday on December 30, LeBron James continues to defy the aging process. His standout performances in the quarterfinals and semifinals, accumulating 61 points, 13 rebounds, and 19 assists against Phoenix and New Orleans, left rival players and coaches in awe of his enduring brilliance.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham affirmed that James unquestionably merits consideration for the 2024 MVP in his remarkable 21st NBA season. From the outset, James exhibited enthusiasm for the In-Season Tournament, lending instant credibility to what some perceived as a novel and confusing concept.
His commitment, along with that of a few other stars, added legitimacy to the tournament, and James embraced the competitive spirit, expressing keen interest in the $500,000 prize money per winning player. He saw the tournament as a valuable tool to further the development of the Lakers’ team.
