LeBron James is looking to get back on the court and win a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers when the NBA (hopefully) resumes play at the end of this month. If the league does, in fact, resume the season like it is hoping to, this is James’ best shot at winning a title since 2016 when he won one with the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, while preparing to get back on the court with his team, James recently took time out of his day to pay respect to a former star in the league.

LeBron James and the Lakers hope to win a championship

The 2019-20 NBA season has been suspended since March due to COVID-19. However, the league is finally scheduled to resume play on July 30.

There will be eight seeding games for the 22 participating teams to play in. Then, before the playoffs, there could be play-in games for the eighth seeds. This will be if the team with the eighth-best winning percentage in the conference is four games or fewer ahead of the team with the ninth-best winning percentage, according to NBA.com. Then once the playoff field is set, everything will continue as usual.

James and the Lakers will resume play against the Los Angeles Clippers on July 30. The Lakers go into the NBA restart with the No. 1 record in the Western Conference and the second-best record in the entire NBA. 

With James and Anthony Davis leading the way as arguably the best duo in the league, the Lakers have as good a chance as any to win the entire thing. However, two teams will most likely stand in their way. They are the Milwaukee Bucks — led by the reigning MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo — and the Clippers, who are led by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

James took time to pay respect to Baron Davis

James, of course, has a lot to worry about right now. A championship this season would mean a tremendous amount to his legacy. However, on Tuesday, he paid respect to former NBA Star Baron Davis.

The Twitter account for BallIsLife.com tweeted out a video of Davis during his playing days and said, “One of the most exciting point guards in NBA history! 21 years ago today, the Charlotte Hornets selected [Baron Davis] with the 3rd pick in the 1999 NBA Draft.”

James then responded to the tweet and said, “The homie [Baron Davis] was NASTY!!! Sheesh/My goodness!!”

Getting a compliment from one of the greatest players of all-time, LeBron James, is a massive accomplishment. However, Davis was, in fact, an electric player on the court. 

Baron Davis was a star in the NBA

After playing for UCLA in college, Davis went to the Charlotte Hornets with the third overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft. After averaging 9.9 points per game in his first two seasons with the Hornets, Davis became an All-Star in 2001-02. He averaged 18.1 points per game, 8.5 assists, and 4.3 rebounds that season.

Davis only played in 50 games for the Hornets in New Orleans in 2002-03 but was then an All-Star again in 2003-04 when he averaged 22.9 points per game and 7.5 assists. 

In his career, he was ultimately an excellent playmaker as he averaged 20 points per game or more in three different seasons and eight assists or more in four different seasons. Davis was, however, also really good on the defensive end. He led the NBA in steals per game in two different seasons. 

Davis ultimately played until the 2011-12 season. For his career, he averaged 16.1 points per game to go with 7.2 assists, and he played for six different teams. Davis used to be a star in the NBA, and LeBron James still recognizes that.

Stats courtesy of Basketball Reference