Lonnie Walker IV had a front-row seat to see The King make NBA history

By  Tony Zonca — MikeDragoSports.com senior contributor

Before Lonnie Walker IV became a basketball icon for Reading High, before he began setting scoring records and establishing himself as the best player in the state, he was Just a Kid from Reading, starry-eyed as he watched the best of the NBA perform on TV.

His favorite player was the King, LeBron James, who, in his 20th season and at age 38, recently surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as The League’s all-time leading scorer.

And, in case you didn’t know, Walker watched from the right corner of the court in L.A. when James set the record with a fall-away jumper.

“I grew up idolizing that dude,” Walker told San Antonio-based Fan Nation afterward.  “It’s definitely a blessing and at the same time it’s humbling.  That’s dope as hell, man.  Hell, yes, I wanted to give him the record-breaking dime (assist).”

(Lonnie’s vocabulary apparently has had an overhaul in his fifth season as a pro.)

Late in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder, a streaking Walker fed James for a transition layup, racking up his third assist of the night and getting James to within two points of the record.

When the game was stopped for 10 minutes after the momentous moment, Walker and his teammates watched as James celebrated with his family and Jabbar.

Walker had missed 14 straight games with left knee tendinitis, and 17 overall.  When healthy he had started 32 games and was third on the team with a 14.7 scoring average, behind James and Anthony Davis.  In his fifth season after being drafted on the first round by the Spurs, the 6-5 Walker seemed to be on the way to a breakout season.

Now he finds himself the ninth man in a nine-man rotation that includes newcomers D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Mo Bamba and Davon Reid.

The Lakers have struggled from the start — 2-10 at one point.  Terrible shooting and poor defense contributed to their early failings, then injuries to key players interrupted a serious playoff run.

The goal much of the season has been reduced to reaching .500.  They’re 13th in the West with a 27-32 record and on the verge of missing the playoffs a second straight season.

Besides Walker, James, who hadn’t played since his record-setting 38-point  performance, has missed 14 games, Davis 24 games and key backup Austin Reaves 28 games.

First-year coach Darvin Ham has seldom had his best players on the court together.

Walker is playing under a one-year contract so his future with the Lakers is uncertain.  Reading High fans would love to see him playing in Philadelphia or New York.

“I’m still learning,” the 24-year-old Walker told Fan Nation.  “One of the best things I’ve really got to watch is LeBron’s consistency.  He’s one of the first players to get to the team’s facility, whether it’s getting treatment, recovering, lifting weights or watching film.  That just goes to show why he’s one of the greatest of all time.

“I’m excited to see him break these records.  He’s going to continue to break these records as we go.  He is the greatest of all time by far.”

Walker needs to get healthy.  This is an important year for him contract-wise.  He is one of the most athletic players in the NBA, but his all-out style of play lends itself to injuries.

And now he isn’t even able to enjoy his minutes with his idol.