How did LeBron play in the Drew League?

LeBron James returned to play in the Drew League on Saturday, joining DeMar DeRozan’s team in a 104-102 win where the Lakers’ player scored 42 points. The Bulls player invited LeBron to play next to him in the MMV Cheaters, marking the return of the Lakers’ star to the renowned pro-am league he had not participated in since the 2011 lockout.

LeBron is in shape

After scoring 42 points and grabbing 16 rebounds against some of the best non-professional talents in the US, LeBron James stated the obvious by telling ESPN that he is “100 percent healthy”. He shot 18 of 36 (just 2 of 13 from 3) while DeRozan added 30 points and 14 rebounds. James had to sink a free throw at the end to ensure victory for his team, which he celebrated with a raised fist.

NBA players such as Draymond Green or Montrezl Harrell were in place to watch the four-time MVP return to the court after three months and a disappointing season with the Lakers, as they did not even get into the play-in and Lebron James missed 7 of the last 8 games. James will probably not be seen playing until NBA preseason begins in a couple of months.

Irving no-shows despite being in California

Kyrie Irving was supposed to play as well in the pro-am tournament, in the game preceding James’. This would have added intrigue given the situation the Nets’ player is in, with a trade to the Lakers on the cards. He ended up not showing up, which surprised even the Drew League commissioner Dino Smiley, who said that Irving’s presence “sounded like it was going to be a sure bet, but I don’t know what happened.”

Irving was caught on camera in a basketball camp in Thousand Oaks, just 50 miles away from Compton and his past and maybe future teammate James. He may still show up for the any of the remaining games of the Drew League as his NBA future gets solved.