Watch: LeBron Gets Viciously Rejected on Dunk Attempt
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has made a career out of posterizing defenders by throwing down thunderous dunks over them.
But in his team’s 115-110 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, James wound up on the wrong end of a highlight reel.
About a minute into the game, James came thundering through the lane like he’s done so many times in his career. He blew past his defender Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and was looking to throw one down.
Jarrett Allen, ALL BALL on LeBron ?
(via @BrooklynNets) pic.twitter.com/XMhB31UboJ
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 19, 2018
But Nets center Jaret Allen was having none of it. Allen slid over to help out and he went up to challenge the runaway freight train that was James.
Allen executed a spectacular, and clean, block of James, to the delight of just about everyone at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn — except James.
“If you go up and you block it, you’re going to be on the highlight,” Allen said, reported ESPN. “You get dunked on, you’re going to be on the highlight. So just go up and protect the rim.”
According to ESPN, it was only the ninth time James has had a dunk blocked — out of 1,852 attempts.
Jarrett Allen blocked LeBron James’ dunk attempt. It’s only the 9th time in James’ career he’s had a dunk attempt blocked. It was the 1,850th dunk he’s attempted. pic.twitter.com/EvRAbjGckS
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 19, 2018
“He’s in his 20s, I’m in my 30s — it takes me a little bit longer to get warmed up,” said James after the game. “But that’s fine. You’re a shot blocker, you can get a block. It happens.”
“It’s probably all over social media,” he said.
While it did not deter James from being his usual dominant self, the Nets did get the upset win over the Lakers.
Even after a loss, @KingJames made time for a Lakers fan. pic.twitter.com/m7vj1gnJvP
— ESPN (@espn) December 19, 2018
James ended the night with 36 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Lakers.
Former Laker D’Angelo Russell added 23 points, 13 assists and four assists. The man who replaced him, Lonzo Ball, had 23 points, six rebounds and just three assists.
The Lakers have lost two in a row and three of their last four to fall to fall to 18-12. The Nets have now won six straight and improved to 14-18.
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