The newest generation of basketball players have some key differences from the previous generation. While we can discuss the game’s differences with the game’s evolution for ages, the biggest difference is the athletes that the current players idolize. While most old players in the NBA grew up watching Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant play, we are entering the era of players that credit LeBron James or Stephen Curry as their favorite players.
We have seen many guys drafted into the league in the last few season that have openly expressed their admiration for LeBron. Luka Doncic, an athlete signed to Jordan Brand, has repeatedly mentioned how LeBron is his favorite player. Similar testimonials have come from the likes of Cade Cunningham.
Another such LeBron fan who made it to the NBA is Houston Rockets’ first-round draft pick, Tari Eason. Eason was the 17th pick in the NBA Draft and is a 6’6″ forward known as a defensive specialist. The 21-year-old was guarding LeBron during Jamal Crawford’s ‘Crawsover’ pro-am game in Seattle. Eason shared his excitement for the same on Twitter after the event was cut short due to a slippery court.
If you know me then you know today I achieved a lifelong dream playing and meeting my idol @KingJames 🫡 appreciate you man fr‼️‼️
— Tari Eason (@TAR13ASON) August 21, 2022
Eason’s mother got involved in the action by sharing a tweet where she revealed how much going up against LeBron meant to her son. According to her, Tari has dreamed of guarding LeBron since he was 3 years old.
He said “Mom I told ‘em I’m on Bron. I knew he wanted the rack. I know his whole bag. There’s NOTHING he can’t do. I’ve been defending him in my mind since I was 3” Y’all, this was the greatest moment of my sons life. And it’s not even close. pic.twitter.com/LLoyTXZzi0
— MOMSTER “Tea🫖” (@teroyaeason) August 21, 2022
When Eason was 3 years old, LeBron was early in his playing career for the Cleveland Cavaliers as a rookie or a sophomore. Now, Eason himself will be the rookie, but he’ll be far away from recreating what LBJ did at that age.
If the Rockets develop Eason right, he could be a crucial piece on a contending team with his defensive skill-set. While he couldn’t show his full arsenal against LeBron because of the game getting cut short, he did have moments of strength against LBJ and gave the man entering his 20th NBA season a hard time.
