LeBron James completed one of the most exciting dunks of the year, skying over rookie Ben McLemore of the Sacramento Kings for a tomahawk jam and flattening the defender during the Heat's 122-103 romp on Friday night.
"It sucks that it was him," James told ESPN.com after the game. "Because I like him. That sucks."
The amazing play happened in the first quarter when Heat guard Mario Chalmers gave a high screen for LeBron James, forcing 5'9 Kings guard Isaiah Thomas to guard the four-time MVP. Predictably, Thomas offered no resistance against the barreling 6'8 James until McLemore stood in his way. But the rookie soon found himself in a poster as James just jumped over him for the dunk.
ESPN reports that McLemore was in good spirits after the game, laughing off the play. James and McLemore go back to the rookie's high school days in Missouri.
"I just went over there to try and take the charge," McLemore said before letting out a smile. "And he dunked the ball."
"Afterwards, I thought maybe I should have just fouled him," McLemore said. "Knowing it was LeBron, I knew they weren't going to call (a charge), but I was just playing to my defensive principles. Even though they didn't call it, I didn't let that mess my game up."
But for Kings head coach Mike Malone, his rookie made the right play notwithstanding being posterized by the rampaging James.
"Some guys would duck and get out of the way because they do not want to be on the ESPN highlight tape," Malone said. "But Ben is a competitor and he hates to lose. I'm proud of Ben."
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