Lakers News: Young Role Player "Starstruck" Upon Facing 20-Year Vet LeBron James

The LA All-Star has tremendously impacted the next generation of active NBA players.

Second-year Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson hasn't played major minutes for his team this season, but has emerged as a fun rotation piece for a Hawks club that is prepping to square off against the Boston Celtics in a 2-7 first round playoff matchup this weekend.

Across 70 games this year, the 6'9" Johnson, selected with the 20th pick out of Duke by Atlanta in 2021, scored 5.6 points on 49.1% field goal shooting, pulled down 4.0 rebounds, and dished out 1.2 assists.

Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson of Bally Sports sat down with Johnson recently to discuss his improvements during his sophomore season.

When asked by Robinson if there was any NBA veteran who left him "starstruck" during his two NBA seasons thus far, he was quick to name a certain 19-time Los Angeles Lakers All-Star small forward.

"It was definitely LeBron," Johnson offered. "On his birthday. That was sick!"

James scored 47 points on his 38th birthday, December 30th, 2022, against the Hawks in Atlanta in a 130-121 road win.

"Because last year I saw him play, and now this time I’m actually playing against him. That’s a little bit different!" Johnson revealed. "That was my hero growing up … like my idol, and it was kind of crazy."

"[Phoenix Suns All-Star forward Kevin Durant] and all of them, I’m cool with," Johnson continued. "And I love their game. But it’s a little different with 'Bron. He was someone I literally watched from when I was 6 or 7 years old."

It is wild that James is old enough to be suiting up against players who've grown up watching him, and continues to perform at an All-Star level. But here we are.

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