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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’

Published 11/26/2021, 9:30 AM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

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

USA Today via Reuters

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.

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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.

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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

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USA Today via Reuters

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.

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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.

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Written by:

Yashima Bhatia

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Yashima Bhatia is an NBA writer for EssentiallySports who specialises in providing nuanced predictions and updates for matches. She has a Bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication. Yashima's love for playing the game came up at a young age, when the excitement of the games coupled with the intensity of the Playoffs had her hooked.
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