The Lakers star knew his monumental streak of putting up 10+ points was at risk. When it mattered most, however, it was not his focus.
The right decision was to pass the ball – so he did. Consequently, his remarkable run was over.
LeBron's astounding streak of over 1,200 straight NBA regular season games with 10+ points ended during a recent game, when the league's career points king was limited to a mere eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He provided the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.
“None,” James stated after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”
James could have sought to clinch the contest – while also extending the streak – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to make the extra pass to Rui on the wing. Hachimura made the shot, prompting James exulted immediately.
“Just playing the game the right way. Make the smart play,” James noted. That is my M.O.. That’s how I learned to play. That's what I've done my whole career.”
“LeBron is acutely aware of his point total he's scored at any point,” said the team's head coach the coach. “He did it just as he has throughout his career.”
James re-entered the floor one last time at 5:23 remaining, the result and his personal record both hanging in the balance. He had a mere six points on 3 for 15 from the field then.
He scored at 1:46 left to knot the score and missed a 14-footer with one minute to go that might have taken him into double figures.
He passed up another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate passed him the ball in the waning seconds, but James chose to dish it off instead of shooting.
“The basketball gods, if you approach it the proper way, they tend to bless you,” Redick added.
This incredible run began on Jan. 6, 2007. It was, by far the greatest double-digit streak in NBA history: MJ previously held a streak of 866 consecutive double-digit scoring games, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list of 575 games.
He is such a team-oriented player,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.
“He’s just playing the game of basketball. The chance was there but given his nature as a player and just who he is off the court, he executed the pass, dished to Hachimura and secured the game.”
Getting to ten points had long been a guarantee long before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had reached double figures by the start of the fourth 1,266 times coming into the contest.
But two of those rare games below ten points after three periods had occurred recently: He had nine entering the final quarter against Dallas on 28 November, followed by six points going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.
LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. The very next outing, it was over – yet he was celebrating anyway.
“I always just make the best play. That comes naturally, no matter what,” James declared. If you make the right play, the basketball gods consistently giving back to me.”
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