LeBron James made his comeback to the Los Angeles Lakers lineup earlier this week in an outstanding victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, who had won 11 of their previous 12 games going into the game. Following a more than week-long absence during which the Lakers lost 0-2, James appeared considerably more rested. The team is now looking to gain ground in the Western Conference playoff race, where they have recently struggled.
James’ impact goes well beyond basketball, as evidenced most recently by the Minnesota Vikings’ star wide receiver hitting the Griddy following a touchdown catch against the Chicago Bears on Monday night. The dance also imitated James’ well-known “chalk toss” pregame ritual.
This is hardly the first instance of a James ritual entering a professional sports environment. His well-known “silencer” celebration, which he first used during the 2012–13 season with the Miami Heat and still periodically revives, has been imitated by the NFL and other athletes for years.
The Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry popularized the “night night” celebration during the 2022 playoffs, and NFL players are eager to emulate it.
Can the Lakers make a comeback?
The Lakers have already seen a lot of ups and downs in the first quarter of the 2024–25 NBA season. The team won three straight games early on thanks to some MVP-caliber play from big man Anthony Davis.
Despite strong performances from James and Davis, the club subsequently experienced a difficult stretch that resulted in a terrible 1-3 road trip and a demoralizing overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
The situation worsened when James missed two games, even though the Lakers managed to salvage one victory over the dreary Portland Trail Blazers.
Wins, however, have a way of making everything look better, and the Lakers’ victory over the Grizzlies was perhaps their best of the season, as they dominated the game from beginning to end.
James will turn 40 in just 12 days, but if his performance against the Grizzlies was any guide, it seems that his time away from the team revitalized him.
The Lakers’ next game is the first leg of a two-game road series against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night.
