LeBron James was given the choice of who to guard in The Battle of L.A. on Sunday, and he elected to place his defensive focus on Kawhi Leonard.
James led the Lakers on both ends of the floor in a 112-103 statement win over the Clippers.
Bron finished with 28 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists, suddenly making the MVP race a true contest down the stretch.
Per The LA Times:
As was the case when he locked down reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo on Friday night, it’s his defense that’s forcing the hand of MVP voters.
“People forget what he gets like after the All-Star break; he’s a different guy,” Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy said.
“He’s preparing himself for that — that’s what you saw today and Milwaukee, you see him saying ‘Let me get myself and help my team in the right frame of mind.’ So for him diving on the floor for loose balls and taking the challenge defensively, that’s what you see.
“Last night I texted LeBron and asked him who he wanted to guard and he texted back, ‘I’m guarding Kawhi [Leonard].’”
