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Grizzlies’ Desmond Bane on Guarding LeBron James: ‘He Just Put That Forearm on Me and Then I Was Like Damn, I Aint Moving That’
Before injuries caught up to the 36-year-old, LeBron James was giving an MVP worth performance last season. Even though the superstar was able to make his comeback before the playoffs began, it was too late and their hopes of a second-straight title were up in smoke. All in all, they didn’t have the ideal season fans were hoping for, but Bron still managed to leave his mark on one of the rookies of that year.
How Desmond Bane felt guarding LeBron James the first time
Nov 21, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) calls out a play while dribbling the ball up the court during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Despite being in the league for 18 seasons, Bron’s dominance has only increased over time. And the new generation of players that enter the NBA, are those who have seen him become the legend he is and look up to him. One of those players is Memphis Grizzlies, Desmond Bane.
Bane, who’s become a rising star in his sophomore year, not only got his ‘Welcome to the NBA’ moment from LeBron James, but also had quite the experience guarding him. He appeared on Chris Haynes’ ‘Posted Up’ podcast and touched upon various topics.
From being the first TCU player to be part of the first round of the NBA Draft, his relationship with his teammate Ja Morant, to what it was like guarding LBJ. After the first few games in his rookie year, the Grizzlies were playing the Lakes.
So, when Bane and others were told to go all in defense by the coach, Bane narrated, “I tried to crawl up in LeBron, pick him up. And He Just Put That Forearm on Me and Then I Was Like Damn, I Aint Moving That.”
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Now, a rising star next to Ja Morant
Nov 15, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzles guard Ja Morant (12) and guard Desmond Bane (22) wait for play to resume after a timeout during the second half against the Houston Rockets at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
The Memphis Grizzlies are having quite the season so far. They are holding a 9-9 record, thanks to Ja Morant‘s MVP level performances, as well as the emergence of his back-court right-hand man, Desmond Bane.
Bane’s presence has helped give the Grizzlies a big boost on the offense. Apart from being the second-scorer that they rely on, he has been an asset from the arc.
With Dillon Brooks back healthy as ever, it’s possible that they might land another spot in the playoff berth this season as well. However, the question is whether the shooting guard continues to improve or not, because a lot of the Grizzlies’ fate relies on that.
The post Grizzlies’ Desmond Bane on Guarding LeBron James: ‘He Just Put That Forearm on Me and Then I Was Like Damn, I Aint Moving That’ appeared first on EssentiallySports.
