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LeBron James · A straight-line path to the rim in transition, for LeBron James, is often the only requirement needed for the Los Angeles Lakers’ one-of-a-kind superstar to stamp his spot on end-of-night highlight reels. Though, as he welcomed the franchise that first introduced him — in his first game as a 40-year-old, no less — the full-circle moment was equally difficult to miss. Kickstarting his vintage sequence by first offering enough of a defensive presence to encourage Darius Garland’s missed bunny, James springs Los Angeles’ open-floor offense into action, unselfishly skipping a pass ahead before immediately receiving it back. Known to the NBA’s highlight reels as the man of 1,000 tomahawks, James, after recognizing Dean Wade’s wisely-made business decision to retreat, ferociously elevates into another. The Lakers couldn’t fulfill their head coach’s request for “close to perfect basketball” against the NBA’s hottest team, but in December 31, 2024’s clash against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the 22-year veteran starred nonetheless. For James, the final tally included 23 points (on 9-of-17 shooting), alongside a four-rebound, seven-assist, one-block, three-triple complement in 34 minutes. · State of Mint