Lakers forward LeBron James continues to defy Father Time, with Sunday night’s game against the Rockets, a dramatic 105–104 win, serving as strong proof of how much the 38-year-old still has left in the tank.
The future Hall of Famer led all scorers with 37 points on a hyper-efficient 14-of-19 shooting effort, adding eight assists, six rebounds and three steals. He was also the only Lakers player to hit 40 minutes on the court.
James clearly was having fun out there, evidenced by what certainly looked like a marijuana-themed celebration after he hit a three-pointer in the second pointer. After James mimicked smoking something, puffed his cheeks and pretended to pass it to teammate Christian Wood, fans weighed in with all kinds of jokes.
Basketball aside, Lebron is actually hilarious lmfaoooooooo https://t.co/7C8ZfTawEn
— MS. ANNE THROPE 😐 (@Tha_YQ) November 20, 2023
i’m gonna smoke weed now since my role model lebron did this celly
— dean 🦂 (@DeanScorpion_) November 20, 2023
LeBadInfluence https://t.co/nZo0UjLzMG
— 🅰️verage Curry fan (DOBC) (@DunkedOnByCurry) November 20, 2023
That’s a 50K fine in the NFL https://t.co/wEOB7ID4hI
— Never break kayfabe (@Tripolar_B) November 20, 2023
Snoop Dogg watching https://t.co/INoE1I7AlB pic.twitter.com/iLXBZveJcC
— dave (@whiteDwoody) November 20, 2023
They could do a 2 hour 30 for 30 just on Lebron’s handshakes https://t.co/ewwmSdBXNd
— springwaterpapi (@toneyjetson) November 20, 2023
Others noted that LeBron is far from the first big-time athlete to break out this celebration.
Let’s stop acting like LeBron started this https://t.co/rVKAv8zjMO pic.twitter.com/3UoG1roGEU
— KnicksJetsTaddy (@KnicksJetsTaddy) November 20, 2023
Of course, no one had a more perfect reaction than ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who has turned his advice for athletes vis-à-vis weed into something of a catchphrase.
Don’t even make me say it…@KingJames https://t.co/WQp5OwNteA
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) November 20, 2023
James, in his 21st NBA season, is averaging 26.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game and is shooting 58.6% from the floor and 39.7% from three-point range.