'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
LeBron James led the LA Lakers to a 129-110 win over the Orlando Magic to snap a four-game losing slide. The four-time MVP torched the Magic for a game-high 28 points that were highlighted by a few rim-rattling dunks.
Orlando’s bench, though, didn’t like James’ thunderous slams that had the Amway Center crowd cheering. Some of the Magic players resorted to taunting the Lakers’ franchise player.
Skip Bayless quickly pounced on what had happened to take another dig at LeBron James:
“It has come to this: Now the Orlando Magic bench is taunting LeBron - and he's giving it back to them. Did anybody ever dare to taunt Jordan? Please.”
Michael Jordan was, of course, even mocked by several of the Detroit Pistons “Bad Boys” in many of their testy matchups in the late ‘80s. Bill Laimbeer, John Salley, Isiah Thomas and others weren’t scared to play mind games against Jordan.
In 1996, Rex Chapman, who then played for the Miami Heat against Jordan’s 72-10 Chicago Bulls, openly taunted MJ. It was one of those nights when the Heat guard almost couldn’t miss, which gave him the perfect opportunity to take shots at Jordan.
Kevin Garnett, Charles Barkley, Larry Bird and several more also gave Michael Jordan something to think about during games. “His Airness” usually destroys opponents who dare to trash-talk him, but he wasn’t 100% free from taunting.
LeBron James probably gets more taunted than Jordan. The Golden State Warriors, during James’ time with the Cleveland Cavaliers, didn’t shy away from pushing their luck against James. Draymond Green, Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant talked trash to LBJ on several occasions.
In 2011, the Dallas Mavericks, who were huge underdogs against James’ Miami Heat took it to the GOAT candidate. On Miami’s home floor, a few of the Mavericks players taunted “King James” as they were ready to celebrate their championship-clinching win.
LeBron James showed Paolo Banchero that he is still on top of his game
Heading into the LA Lakers versus Orlando Magic game, the hype was all about LeBron James’ matchup with Paolo Banchero. This year’s No. 1 overall pick has been putting up numbers that remind people of LBJ’s first year in the NBA.
James went to work early and often. Without the injured Anthony Davis, who is expected to miss at least three more weeks, the 18x All-Star refused to let his team down.
Banchero played just 22 minutes as he was in foul trouble for most of the game. He spent most of his minutes guarding the LA Lakers superstar and couldn’t do much to stop him.
The fourth quarter was when LeBron James did the biggest damage. He had no trouble playing against Banchero and Franz Wagner. James dropped 10 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter, muscling his way inside the Orlando Magic defense often.
Orlando taunted James tonight and eventually paid for it. The four-time MVP showed for at least one night that he’s still as good as any.
The two teams will meet for the second and last time on March 19.
