LeBron James reacts to the ski legend: The sensational triumph did not go unnoticed in the NBA. The Lakers star shares a story.
Los Angeles – Lindsey Vonn is back on the slopes – and how! At the start of the speed season, the American flew away from everyone and won by just under a second ahead of the competition. Once again she sent a big exclamation point to the entire ski world and secured her 83rd World Cup victory of her career. At the awards ceremony, emotions break through and Vonn stands at the top of the podium in tears.
Because Vonn has had an impressive journey. The now 41-year-old had actually already retired in 2019 due to persistent knee problems, but then surprisingly returned last year. A comeback that was laughed at by many experts and labeled as madness. These voices may now have abruptly fallen silent. Felix Neureuther ennobled Vonn on ARD: “Lindsey Vonn, you are a goddess.”
LeBron James huldigt Lindsey Vonns Triumph
Vonn also receives the highest recognition outside of the skiing cosmos. Basketball legend LeBron James addressed the ski queen via Instagram story. There were two pictures, one of Vonn cheering and one of LeBron James himself, also cheering. The inscription also reads: “41. Built different.” (In German: “41. Built differently.”). The basketball superstar of the Los Angeles Lakers is also celebrating his 41st birthday this year.
Like Vonn, Lebron is still making sports history in the late fall of his career. With her triumph, Vonn is now the oldest winner in a Ski World Cup. At the same time, LeBron became the first player in NBA history to make it through his 23rd season in the US elite league. NBA colleague Draymond Green from the Golden State Warriors also sent his congratulations to the skier via Instagram.
After her finish, Vonn initially lay on the ground, but quickly got up and celebrated in a way that would be familiar to most NBA fans. Because Vonn put her palms together and then placed both hands on her head like a pillow. Whether she copied this gesture from Stephen Curry, another NBA superstar, can only be speculated. Curry already made this “Night, Night” celebration big in 2022.
Vonn proves on the slopes that she can turn back time even beyond the 40-year mark and dominate the Ski World Cup. Meanwhile, LeBron James is putting up unprecedented numbers on the court and continues to pose significant challenges for NBA defenses. “Built different.” (hbr)
