James: The media loves to write that the Lakers are better without LeBron, but they are completely wrong.

On March 20th Beijing time, the Lakers defeated the Heat 134-126 in a back-to-back away game. In this match, the 41-year-old James continued his efficient performance, playing 37 minutes, shooting 8 out of 12, making 3 out of 5 free throws, and achieving a triple-double with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. After the game, he accepted a media interview—

Reporter: Spoelstra said before the game that you are battling head-on with time. Playing a back-to-back at your age, arriving at the arena only at 5 a.m., is the best proof. Can you tell us about the physical and mental toll this takes and how you persevered?

James: Both physically and mentally, it's truly exhausting. We arrived at the hotel very late; I think no one got enough sleep last night. It's about checking how the body feels and the mental state. After warming up this afternoon, the team doctors assessed my physical condition after my usual therapy, and we decided to play. Our whole team decided to give it a shot. This was a very important away win for us, especially under such conditions.

Reporter: Your tenth assist for the triple-double was passed to Doncic, who hit his eighth and ninth three-pointers in the fourth quarter. You've had many explosive scoring nights yourself; how do you evaluate his performance tonight?

James: You can tell by our reactions on the court; we were all super happy for him to hit that last free throw and reach 60 points. But he played very naturally, without any intention of chasing stats. Once his rhythm heated up in the third quarter, he couldn't be stopped, and in the fourth quarter, he hit many crucial shots for us—several and-ones and quite a few threes. It was truly pivotal.

Reporter: This is the happiest moment in basketball, right? Critical moments with tight scores, hitting consecutive shots like last night and tonight.

James: Yes. Our team has many players who have experienced such situations. In decisive moments, they know how to play, what tactics to run, how to control the tempo, stabilize the situation, and resolve chaos. Having this kind of reliance within a team is extremely important.

Reporter: There has been much external discussion, especially about the chemistry between you, Doncic, and Reaves. Is what we've seen over the past few weeks three high-IQ players gradually finding their rhythm?

James: I think for us, the key has always been time. We actually haven't had much time together on the court to truly refine our coordination. Last year there was a bit, but Luka had just joined the team; everyone was adapting to each other and to the style we wanted to play. Early in the season, I wasn't in the starting lineup, and Reaves was injured for a period; we were figuring things out while playing. A few weeks ago, I was also absent; after returning, I wanted to find the role that best suits me because the chemistry between them two has already been very explosive.

Of course, the media and commentators love to write headlines like "The Lakers are better without LeBron," and many people are willing to see it that way. I understand, but they are completely wrong.

Reporter: Can you talk about the advancements in athletic performance and recovery technology over these 23 seasons? Is there anything that truly changed your career?

James: Everything has improved; that's evolution. Look at phones, cars, anything from 23 years ago—they can't compare to now. Modern technology greatly aids athletic performance. But at the same time, many recovery methods I did since high school, like stretching, icing, are still maintained, and the most important recovery is always sleep.

I've been doing soft tissue relaxation and similar care since high school. I have my own fixed routine; I and Mike (the trainer) have established a plan over the past 22 years and strictly follow it. I understand that the body is the most important thing; being able to play for my teammates is the most important. Fighting alongside them is significant, and I've always taken this seriously.

Reporter: You've always focused on the present, but in this city so meaningful to your career, tying Parish's total appearances record that stood for 30 years—how does that resonate with you?

James: I haven't really thought about it that way, but it's indeed cool. As I always say, I always hope to play for my teammates, set an example for the younger generation, and be accountable to myself. Respect to the Chief; he's great, and I really like him.