Lakers' Bonkers Double-Overtime Win Over Warriors Filled NBA Fans With Nostalgia and Awe
Whew.
If the reaction to the Los Angeles Lakers' 145-144 victory over the Golden State Warriors Saturday night can be summarized in one word, it's that. The nationally televised instant classic took the two teams to their limits as their veteran stars wrestled fiercely for the upper hand.
In the end, the Lakers came out on top as forward LeBron James knocked down the two winning free throws in the closing seconds. Aside from gerontocracy, however, the real winners were NBA fans.
Bill Simmons of The Ringer quickly christened the contest the game of the year, and he wasn't alone in doing so.
Many marveled at how the two teams' play belied their subpar records; neither would make the playoffs if the season ended today.
James's duel with Warriors guard Stephen Curry was compared to their epic mid-2010s battles when James was on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Many raised on those battles found themselves contemplating their own mortality.
James, now a 39-year-old elder statesman, was showered with praise.
A number of outlets and fans noted the historicity of the game regardless of its participants.
James's ability to charm fans with tall tales appears to have only increased with age.
As it was in 2004 and ‘14, it's hard to deny the results.
