LeBron James invites DeMar DeRozan, shows off in Drew League for a win / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: LeBron James/Twitter Credit LeBron James/Twitter

LeBron James came back to play in the pro-am Drew League for the first time since the 2011 NBA lockout.

DeMar DeRozan

MIN:36.37PTS:27.43 (60.32%)REB:5.17As:4.91ST:0.94BL:0.32TO:2.36GM:81ProfileNBA2021/2022

Additionally, James invited the Chicago Bulls superstar DeMar DeRozan to join his team. The Los Angeles Lakers megastar scored 42 points, grabbed 16 rebounds, and made 4 steals to bring his MMV Cheaters team a 104-102 victory against Black Pearl Elite.

"I'm 100 percent healthy," LeBron told ESPN during the first half.

DeRozan had already played twice for the Cheaters this summer. This time, he scored 30 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.

The game was watched by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, and Lakers guards Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn.

Kyrie Irving was also expected to play in a game before James' comeback, and even longtime Drew League commissioner Dino Smiley expected the player to come, but ultimately Irving did not arrive.

"I have been covering the Drew League since 2014, and I have never seen the gym at King Drew Medical Magnet buzzing as soon as a player emerged from the locker room area. It was like a christening," Los Angeles Clippers beat writer Law Murray told The Athletic about the day.

"It was just an epic, epic afternoon of basketball," commissioner Smiley added.

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