#WashedKing Chronicles: LeBron Gets Bodied By Markelle Fultz In His Own Building

Every superstar has their signature. Iverson had a killer crossover. Shaq would literally tear down the entire hoop. Dirk had the one-legged fade-away. And while LeBron’s always been an elite offensive player, his signature play is the chase-down, demoralizing, momentum-shifting, pin off the glass. The only player I’ve ever seen consistently beat LeBron on the break was Rondo, which he could only pull off because of his freakishly long arms and absurd passing ability. Well now we can add Markelle Fultz to that list after he tossed him into the popcorn vendor tonight. I don’t remember ever seeing LeBron get straight up bullied like this before, let alone by a guy who couldn’t signal a touchdown 12 months ago. Nor do I recall seeing Bron get hung on the rim.

Year 17. LeBron’s still putting in work. The Lakers have been incredible this season. He still finished with 19 assists in this game. But getting hung on the front of the rim? Getting bodied by a point guard on a fast break? Those are not the trademarks of one of the greatest athletes to ever walk planet Earth. Even in crunch time, this isn’t the LeBron we’ve known for the better part of two decades.

This isn’t bad defense. He keeps Fultz in front of him the entire possession. Fine defense, better offense. Happens dozens of times throughout the course of any NBA game. But that’s not the point. The point is most players throughout the years see LeBron switched on them in this very scenario and pass the ball, let someone else try and make a play. Markelle Fultz heard the dinner bell ringing and got to eating. LeBron kept him in front of him, sure, but Fultz wasn’t stonewalled by any stretch, either. Good on Markelle, a man who has endured as hellish a start to an NBA career as I’ve ever seen, to have his confidence back to a level where he was going to take this shot no matter what. Potentially super troublesome for LeBron that players who were wearing diapers when he was cashing Sprite checks now look at him like he’s just anyone else out there on the court in crunch time. #WashedKing indeed.