LeBron James speaks after the Los Angeles Lakers closed out the Houston Rockets in game six.
The Los Angeles Lakers advanced to the second round on Friday, winning game six against the Houston Rockets, 98-78.
The Lakers took a commanding 3-0 lead after a historic comeback in game three, but lost the next two games, putting some worry into the hearts of Lakers fans that they might be the first team to ever blow a 3-0 lead in a playoff series.
Fortunately for the Lakers and their fans, they have LeBron James, a man who has seen it all throughout his career and been part of arguably the most historic comeback in NBA history.
LeBron helped close out the Rockets on Friday with a 28-point, seven-rebounds, eight-assists performance in game six.
LeBron James Speaks
LeBron's role on the Lakers has changed throughout the season as, for the first time in his career, he entered the season without being the consensus best player on the team.
With Luka Doncic coming into his first full season with the Lakers, Austin Reaves ascending, and LeBron laboring due to sciatica to start the season, roles shifted through the first half of the year for Los Angeles.
In Mach, all three men started to find their footing, with LeBron admittedly taking a backseat to Doncic and Reaves. The team went 15-2 in March with their big three all on the same page.
On April 2, Doncic and Reaves suffered injuries that sidelined them for the rest of the regular season and into the first round. LeBron James knew what he had to do.
"Next man up. I've done it throughout my career, for the majority of my career. They still have to accept we were a totally different team before April 2. For them to accept the fact and they allowed me to lead them and command them in a way that I saw fit and be an extension of our coaching staff on the floor, it means a lot to me. I'm happy I was able to do some things out there to make them understand I know what I'm doing at times," he said with a laugh after game six.
LeBron James Leads
In the first round against the Rockets, Lebron averaged 23.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 8.3 assists.
He did a little bit of everything for the Lakers, including a clutch steal and three in game three that shifted the momentum of the series.
Reaves returned in game five, but was still working himself back into rhythm. Though LeBron struggled in games four and five, he reminded the Rockets that he's "The King" for a reason.