LeBron James puts on a show in his return to the Drew League: Best plays, social reaction

Benyam Kidane

LeBron James puts on a show in his return to the Drew League: Best plays, social reaction image

It's not every day you finish your 9-5 and turn up at the Drew League to hoop and have to guard LeBron James!

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar made his return to the summer tournament for the first time since the 2011 lockout season and he was sure to put on a show for the fans. 

He joined forces with Chicago Bulls star and LA native DeMar DeRozan on the MMV Cheaters squad, as the duo powered the team to a 104-102 win over Black Pearl. 

"Thank you Drew League!! Loved the energy from start to finish! All for the city of ​angels," LeBron tweeted after the game.

LeBron led the way with 42 points, 16 rebounds and four steals, with plenty of highlight-reel plays, while DeRozan added 30 points and 14 rebounds in the win. 

LeBron had the arena on 100 from the jump, putting together a mixtape-worthy reel of plays, beginning with a trademark jam.

Throw it off the glass....LeBron will go get it.

Welcome to the spin cycle.

LeBron + bully ball = buckets.

And of course, a signature sidestep 3-pointer.

The fadeaway game was on lock.

 

Down the stretch, DeRozan found a cutting LeBron for the two-handed hammer.

Check out the full highlights of the game here:

Social reaction

LeBron James turning up at the Drew League had the Twitter timeline buzzing, with NBA players, past and present tuning in for the showcase.

 

 

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.