WASHINGTON - LeBron James has played in 1,287 games including playoffs. He's never played a game like Friday night.
Not just because the 57 points he scored in an early-season statement game were the second-most of his career. He's never been as dominant or as focused as playing out of the post as the clinic he displayed in the 130-122 victory over the Washington Wizards.
Ever since James reached legal drinking age more than a decade ago, there have been calls for him to develop into a back-to-the basket player. He didn't start to really get interested in it until 2011 when he spent time during the NBA lockout working with Hakeem Olajuwon, bringing a camera crew to tape the sessions so he could refer to them later.