HOUSTON -- After LeBron James led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 98-78 Game 6 victory over the Rockets on Friday to clinch their first-round series, the 41-year-old allowed himself a rare instance to embrace the accomplishment.
"It's not my style at all," James told ESPN after posting 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in the closeout victory. "I think me personally, the accepting and trying to be OK with the small victories comes with where I am in my career. Understanding, s---, who knows how many more playoff series I'm going to be a part of? If I play one more or two more or three more seasons, that doesn't guarantee me to be in the postseason. So just trying to appreciate the moments, whatever it is, and however long I'm playing.
"It's pretty cool to have the opportunity to lead a team, at 41 years old, into the playoffs and for us to be able to win it."
James became the oldest player in NBA history to lead all players in a playoff series in total points scored, according to ESPN Research, pouring in 139 in a defensive slugfest between the two teams.