LeBron James’ Viral Quote After Lakers-Knicks Game(video)

On Saturday evening, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New York Knicks by a score of 113-105 at Madison Square Garden.

James had missed the team’s 114-105 victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday evening but was able to return to the lineup and put up 24 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block while shooting 10/19 from the field.

After the game, the 20-time NBA All-Star met with the media and was asked about advice he would give to young basketball players (h/t ESPN’s Dave McMenamin). 

James: “Learn the history of the game. Respect the ones that came before you. Even when they do disrespect you, it’s okay. It’s absolutely okay. Know who paved the way. Understand what a professional is all about. Be a pro. Show up to work, be ready to work, if you’re on time, you’re late. Put the work in. The game gives back to you when you put the work in; that’s what the game g-ds do. Come to the gym. One of the first ones to the gym. You’re one of the last ones to leave. Just pour it all into the game if you want to be great and if you want to be someone that will never be forgotten in this league. The cars and the jewelry and all of the dumb s**t that don’t matter means absolutely nothing. I see a lot of these kids getting so unfocused about stuff that is so material that they can lose their focus. Just worry about the game; when you worry about the game, everything takes care of itself. Worry about the game, worry about your family and then worry about the game some more. And be selfish, too. It’s okay to be selfish because you have to be a little bit selfish to be able to be great. Some people have to fall to the wayside at times.”

With the victory, the Lakers are now 26-25 in 51 games, which has them as the ninth seed in the Western Conference.

Their road trip will conclude on Monday evening when they visit the Charlotte Hornets in North Carolina.