Brian Windhorst Apr 20, 2026, 07:00 AM ET Close ESPN.com NBA writer since 2010 Covered Cleveland Cavs for seven years Author of two books In March 2000, LeBron James played what was to that point the biggest game of his life: the state championship game at Ohio State. The lanky freshman made 10 of 12 shots, had nine rebounds and scored 25 points, more than hinting that he might be headed for some big things. However, the defining player of the game was a fellow freshman named Dru Joyce, who made seven 3-pointers. His shooting display broke the opposition's zone defense, the first of many ideas in trying to stop James. Luke Kennard was 3 years old then. Fifteen years later, he broke James' Ohio high school career scoring mark. Kennard nailing five 3-pointers and scoring 27 points in the Lakers' Game 1 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday was a reminder that 26 years later, the story hasn't changed much. Over the decades, the faces have changed, but the devastating strategy still can work wonders.…