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How often? LeBron James on the ball
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John Munson/dpa
LeBron James will often no longer show gala performances like the one on Easter Sunday (local time) against the Brooklyn Nets - the NBA superstar of the Los Angeles Lakers made that clear. "Not for long. I'm already on the other side of the mountain. I won't be playing for 21 years anymore, that's for damn sure," emphasized James after his 40 points including nine converted three-pointers in the 116:104. "I don't know when this door will close and I'll end my career, but I don't have much time left," said the 39-year-old.
The most successful thrower in the history of the best basketball league in the world is playing at a high level again this season and currently has the best three-point shot rate of his career. 41.6 percent of his attempts hit the target, his career high for a full season came from the 2012/2013 season with the Miami Heat, when he converted 40.6 percent of three-point attempts. In recent years he has increasingly had to deal with injuries. James can exercise an option and extend his contract with the Lakers for $51.4 million.
World champion Dennis Schröder had to accept another defeat with his Brooklyn Nets after three recent successes. Against his former club, the German captain had 14 points as well as three rebounds and three assists each.
Maxi Kleber achieved his seventh win in a row with the Dallas Mavericks, beating the Houston Rockets 125:107. The German contributed two points and four rebounds. His teammate, superstar Luka Doncic, had 47 points, twelve rebounds and seven assists. The Slovenian also set his career record with nine three-pointers.
“He has shown that he is one of the best players in the world,” said Mavs coach Jason Kidd and enthused: “He is always able to take strong throws. He's Picasso! Give him the brush, he'll do something special." For Houston it was the first defeat after eleven successes.
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