LeBron James was aware his monumental run of putting up 10+ points was in danger. At the decisive instant, though, it didn't concern him.
The correct basketball play was to pass the ball – which is exactly what he did. Following that play, the legendary streak came to an end.
James's unprecedented run of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season games with 10+ points concluded during a recent game, as the NBA's all-time scoring leader was limited to eight points in the Lakers' 123-120 victory over the Toronto Raptors. He delivered the game-winning assist, finding Rui Hachimura to hit a triple to win the game.
“Nothing,” James stated after being questioned on the record concluding. “We won.”
A Team-First Decision Delivers Victory
LeBron had the chance to tried to secure the contest – and extended his record – in the closing seconds, yet he opted to pass to Hachimura on the wing. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron raised his arms with his hands in the air.
It's about playing the game correctly. Always make the smart play,” James remarked. That is my M.O.. That’s how I learned the game. I've played that way my whole career.”
He is fully cognizant exactly how many points he has at all times,” commented the team's head coach JJ Redick. “He did it like he’s done countless times.”
The Streak's End Game
James re-entered the floor for the final time at 5:23 remaining, the outcome and the streak on the line. His tally was a mere six points on 3-of-15 shooting then.
He scored with under two minutes remaining to knot the score then missed a shot at 1:01 left that would have gotten him into double figures.
He didn’t take a subsequent shot – but could have. A teammate gave James the ball in the waning seconds, yet LeBron opted to dish it off instead of shooting.
The spirits of the game, if you do it the proper way, they tend to repay you,” Redick added.
Reflecting on a Monumental Streak
The record commenced over eighteen years ago. It stood as the most extended double-digit streak the league has ever seen: MJ previously held a streak of 866 straight games with 10+ points, Kareem had 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list at 575.
“He’s such a pass-first superstar,” noted teammate Jake LaRavia.
He focuses on playing hoops. He could have shot but due to his nature as a player and his personality as a person, he executed the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and claimed the game.”
Reaching double digits had long been a formality long before the fourth quarter began. Throughout his run, he had reached ten points entering the fourth on the vast majority of occasions coming into the contest.
But two of those unusual games below ten points after three periods took place in the last week: He had nine going into the fourth versus the Mavericks on 28 November, and then had six going into the fourth against Phoenix on Monday night.
LeBron was able to extend the streak in the Phoenix game. In the following contest, it concluded – but he still rejoiced anyway.
My focus is to make the best play. That is instinctive, no matter what,” James affirmed. When you make the unselfish play, the basketball gods forever giving back to me.”
