The Once and Future King: LeBron James Overpowers Kobe Bryant and the Lakers

It was workmanlike. It was methodical. At times, it wasn’t pretty.

But it was effective.

LeBron James used his strength and speed to overpower the Lakers Thursday night and led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 93-87 win and a season sweep over Los Angeles.

Along the way, he sent a message to the basketball world: Bryant has been the game’s best player, but James is ready to ascend to the throne.

Early in the game, as the Lakers raced to a 9-0 lead, Kobe displayed his impressive offensive arsenal. His jump shot remains unparalleled, and he looked like a man on a mission.

The Lakers couldn’t make it hold up, however, and LeBron and the Cavs were able to hang around enough to make their move in the fourth quarter.

James scored 12 points down the stretch, most of them on outside shots, as Kobe began to fade. Bryant got little help from his teammates, but likewise did little to involve them. LeBron, meanwhile, had nine assists.

James finished with a game-high 37 points. While his fourth-quarter onslaught helped seal the Lakers’ fate, it was what LeBron did in the first three periods that left the greatest impression.

Time and time again, he split the LA. defense with strong drives to the basket. Past Bryant, past Ron Artest, past Andrew Bynum, past Pau Gasol—James was relentless.

With LeBron, it’s not just what he does, it’s how he does it. His jump shot isn’t always a thing of beauty, but, just when you think he’s off his game, he hits one, then another, then another.

If you play him close to guard against the shot, he’ll blow past you in a heartbeat, take contact that would cause most mortals to crumble, and kiss a layup off the glass. Right-handed, left-handed—it makes no difference to him.

This is by no means a death knell for the Lakers. As LeBron himself told TNT’s Craig Sager after the game, you can’t read too much into his team’s latest victory. Kobe and company remain one of the league’s elite.

What was evident, however, was that James wielded more influence on the outcome than anyone else on the court.

At halftime of Thursday’s game, TNT’s commentators weighed in on who is the game’s best player. Charles Barkley voted for LeBron, while Kenny Smith and Chris Webber gave the nod to Kobe.

The game itself told the story, however. Call it a tale of the once and future king.

Kobe has reigned for most of the past decade, but the crown is clearly now LeBron’s for the taking.