In a career spanning more than two decades, LeBron James has never entered a February game at MSG with a record this much worse than the home team.
And though there’s clearly angst over his situation with the Lakers, he’s happy for the toast of NYC, Jalen Brunson — who was coming off a 40-point gem Thursday that had the Garden exploding.
“Jalen’s phenomenal. He’s phenomenal,” James said from the Nike headquarters in Manhattan. “Super-happy for him, super-proud of him. You know, first-time All-Star, seeing his emotion after the last game, I think that’s super-cool, super-dope.”
Brunson had similar praise for James’ career.
“The things he’s been able to do, it’s been nothing short of spectacular, nothing sort of remarkable,” Brunson said before the game. “Everything he’s done has been legendary. And I respect the hell out of him. But when we go out on the court, we’re gonna have to compete, and you can’t just look at it and thinking he’s this idol, which he is, but we gotta go out there and just compete against the Lakers tonight.”
James noted he played against Brunson’s father Rick, a nod to James’ longevity.
“It’s kind of weird in that sense,” James said. “Rick is a super-down-to-earth, great guy as well, and he’s raised an unbelievable son. So that’s awesome. His whole family — not just Rick obviously. But it’s super-cool.”
On his own circumstances, James was less effusive.
The Lakers were a disappointing 25-25 after landing Friday night in New York (eight more losses than the Knicks), and James recently tweeted an hourglass emoji.
The inference was time is running out or James is getting impatient, but the NBA’s oldest player at 39 didn’t want to expound Saturday.
“No,” he said.
And does he know his plans after the season with the option in his contract?
“No.”
It’s hard to imagine the Lakers ever trading James, and his agent, Rich Paul, went on the record recently pooh-poohing the idea.
But it’s clear the status quo isn’t going to cut it for one of the greatest players of all-time.
And though he acknowledged feeling a little run-down physically and sat the previous game in Boston — “I’ve been better, but I I’ve been a lot worse” — James was revving up to return to his favorite arena.
Even if he doesn’t retire after the season, another MSG game isn’t guaranteed.
So every appearance is cherished.
“At this point in my career, for sure,” he said. “I’ll probably get an opportunity to be in the lineup and play here, especially at the latter stage of my career, I definitely don’t take it for granted.
“For me to be able to grace that floor throughout my career has always been a treat.”
James entered Saturday with a 22-9 record at MSG with averages of 28.2 points, 7.3 assists and 6.9 boards. He reeled off a triple-double last season in a Lakers victory.
This time, the Knicks are clearly the better team, and Brunson is the hotter player, even if he’s not the better one.
James, who flirted with joining the Knicks in 2010 — “I’ve had that thought in my career,” he said Saturday — hasn’t faced this good of home team at MSG in more than a decade.
But he made sure to remind reporters of the run from his buddy Carmelo Anthony, who led the Knicks to 54 wins in 2012-13.
“Melo was here doing what Melo does, and they had that good team support around him, they were winning ballgames,” James said. “So it’s not the first time. I’ve been around for two decades. I’ve seen this arena buzz and the team play well.”
