As Commissioner Adam Silver prepared to present LeBron James with the MVP trophy for the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament, he playfully cautioned that the honor “doesn’t come with a franchise.” In response, James, although amused, has been expressing genuine interest in owning an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas.
While his ownership aspirations are yet to materialize, James is content with the individual accolade and the tournament championship. He played a pivotal role in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 123-109 victory over the Indiana Pacers in the final, contributing 24 points and 11 rebounds.
Speaking about his desire to bring an NBA team to Las Vegas post-career, James expressed unwavering enthusiasm. He highlighted the city’s vibrant sports scene, mentioning the presence of a WNBA team, an upcoming baseball team (Athletics), an NFL team, a hockey team, and recent Formula One events. James believes that adding an NBA team would be another fantastic addition to the city’s attractions.
LeBron James delivered an outstanding performance on Saturday, but the spotlight also shone on his teammate, Anthony Davis, who had an extraordinary game with 41 points and 20 rebounds—figures that would have been season highs if officially recorded. It’s worth noting that this particular game in the tournament doesn’t contribute to the regular season standings or statistics. As Commissioner Adam
Davis showcased his dominance by shooting 16 of 24, contributing five assists, and blocking four shots. The duo of James and Davis was hailed as a formidable one-two punch by Lakers coach Darvin Ham, emphasizing their ability to elevate their game when it matters most.
The Los Angeles Lakers secured the title of the first In-Season Tournament champions, thanks to the significant contributions from multiple players. Austin Reaves scored 28 points, D’Angelo Russell added 13 points, and Cam Reddish played a crucial role defensively by limiting the impact of Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, who had 20 points and 11 assists in the game.
While Reddish’s scoring might not have been extensive (nine points), his defensive prowess was highlighted by Reaves, who described him as one of the best players on the court, influencing the game on the defensive end.