(Video) Japanese NBA star sings LeBron James tribute with Memphis Grizzlies teammate

Grizzlies star Yuki Kawamura has been garnering widespread reactions from the NBA community after singing a song involving LeBron James.

(Video) Japanese NBA star sings LeBron James tribute with Memphis Grizzlies teammate

Yuki Kawamura and LeBron James

The Memphis Grizzlies’ shortest star Yuki Kawamura has been making waves around the NBA lately. Kawamura was recently spotted singing Los Angeles Lakers superstar and NBA legend LeBron James’ name alongside ‘pro hooper’ DJ Steward. The latter posted the video on his socials which caught the attention of the NBA community.

Yuki Kawamura, who is only 5’8″ in height, is arguably an improbable basketball star. He is the only man on an active NBA roster who is shorter than six feet (1.83 meters). However, in his debut season, the 23-year-old guard for the Memphis Grizzlies has gained popularity among fans. His ankle-breaking jumpers and smooth no-look passes have helped him make a name for himself in the league.

YouTube video

On the other hand, an NBA star singing praises about James speaks volumes of his greatness. LeBron James returned to the Lakers on Saturday night after missing seven games due to a groin ailment. However, James faced defeat on his return by the Chicago Bulls at the Crypto.com Arena. But the King still continues to perform at a high level.

Despite returning from injury, James finished with six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and 17 points on 7 of 16 shooting. The Lakers dropped to 43-27 this season and are now fourth in the Western Conference. After losing for the second time in a row, they will want to get back to winning form when they play the Orlando Magic at Kia Center on Monday.

All attention will now descend onto James and Co. to finish strongly in the West before the end of the regular NBA season.

LeBron James made an admission about the recent Bulls defeat

As the season draws to a close, LeBron James gave a very candid assessment of the Los Angeles Lakers’ prospects, acknowledging that the team’s future is in its own hands. James returned from a groin ailment last week, but the Lakers lost badly against the Chicago Bulls 31–40 at home on Saturday night.

We got 12 games to position ourselves in the postseason. We pretty much can control our own destiny if we win ballgames and not have to be in the play-in.

After the game, LeBron James said

Los Angeles is now in fourth place in the Western Conference, and James knows that they have a good chance of missing the Play-In. The Lakers have great chances of securing a playoff berth since they are 0.5 games ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies and 2.5 games clear of the Golden State Warriors. However, James and Co. will have to be at their best during the final stretch of the season.

JJ Redick blasts Lakers’ defense despite LeBron James’ return

Following this lopsided defeat, JJ Redick expressed his displeasure with his team’s defensive performance. Chicago’s offensive surge in the second half, which resulted in 39 points in the third quarter and 42 points in the fourth, came after they had already scored 65 points in the first half, leading them to a win over the Lakers.

Redick was upset with this. He felt that Los Angeles damaged themselves by not doing enough to stop the Bulls from getting hot on offense, even if there are situations where your opponent will just make baskets.

The disposition and the mentality, I don’t know if we assumed because we had everybody back that it was just gonna be like it was three weeks ago, and that’s just not the way this works … That was the worst our defense has looked frankly maybe all year, but certainly in the last three months.

JJ Redick said

Notably, many of the Lakers’ starters returned to the squad during their Bulls game. Redick admitted that it would take some time for everyone to adjust and find their rhythm again, but that doesn’t justify his team’s lackluster defensive performance against the Bulls.