LeBron James and Kevin Durant hadn’t played together in a regular season game since Christmas Day of 2018, but they did it on Thursday night when the Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Phoenix Suns. Both icons performed excellently for their adoring audiences.

In the end, Durant scored 39 points and grabbed 11 boards, while LeBron James added 21 points, eight boards, and nine dimes to help the Lakers beat the Warriors 100-95. While the two of the greatest forwards of all time have had their share of skirmishes throughout the years, the mutual respect between them is undeniable.

After the game, Durant addressed this topic, noting that LeBron is the standard by which all other players are judged. “After my games, a lot, my whole career you see what he did, watch the highlights,” Durant said. When I was a senior in high school, he was in his third or fourth year in the league and he was dominating, and he was someone who pushed me to pursue a career in professional basketball.

Someone you hold up as an example to strive toward; if you can attain even a fraction of his successes, you’re doing well for yourself. He’s only a standard by which you may measure your own improvement as a player. Everyone in the league followed his lead once he did it.

There is always one athlete who serves as a barometer for an entire age. Durant has spent his entire career trying to emulate James, who has surpassed Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan as the best player in the NBA.

Durant was reminded in this game against the Lakers of LeBron’s savant-level basketball IQ and how challenging he is to deal with.

“It was tough,” Durant said. He has spent his entire career coaching teams on how to defend against specific plays. As a player, he has become increasingly focused on film analysis.

“As he’s won championships, he’s learned how to examine film and deconstruct the film, and it shows in his commentary all game long. Competing against smart people is a constant uphill struggle.

Even in his 21st season, LeBron’s awareness of everything happening in the game sets him apart from any other player in the NBA. The result was a much-needed victory for the Lakers, and they can thank this for it.