LeBron James handed up a game-winning layup on the finish of regulation because the LA Lakers fell to the Houston Rockets 139-130 in time beyond regulation on Wednesday. Many in contrast the state of affairs to what Ben Simmons did in Recreation 7 in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks in final 12 months’s playoffs. However Chris Broussard believes that comparability is unfair.
The Lakers had the ball with the shot clock off, tied with the Rockets at 120 apiece. Everybody anticipated James to take the final shot, and he had look off a drive to the rim. As a substitute, he handed out to Carmelo Anthony for an extended two that he missed, sending the sport into time beyond regulation.
This error introduced up recurring questions on James’ aggressiveness late in video games. This has been a speaking level all through his 19-year profession. Comparisons to Simmons’ play additionally began to drift round Twitter, which is unfair, as Broussard mentioned on “The Odd Couple,” posted on Fox Sports activities’ YouTube channel. On the 6:30 mark, Broussard mentioned:
“Lots of people pointed to a few of his historical past. I don’t assume it was as unhealthy as Ben Simmons. Just like the stage (was not the identical). … I do not agree with placing him within the Simmons class, however LeBron ought to have taken the shot.”
James ought to have taken the shot, nevertheless it was within the common season, in comparison with Simmons, who handed out of a layup in a Recreation 7 within the playoffs. The stacks on this state of affairs are only a lot completely different.
What does this imply for LeBron James’ season?
With speak already about LeBron James probably shutting down late on this horrific Lakers season, this appears to be the primary glimpse of that risk. Stephen A. Smith is undoubtedly beginning to consider that.
“LeBron James goes to close it down early! You heard me, LeBron James goes to finish his season the second week of April.”@stephenasmith is already calling it
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It makes some sense that some NBA media members are beginning to consider that concept. The Lakers (28-37 coming into Friday’s recreation in opposition to the Washington Wizards), who’re ninth within the West, are at risk of not making the play-in match. Russell Westbrook has been a disappointment, and Anthony Davis has had one other season riddled with accidents.
Regardless of James’ triple-double (23 factors, 14 rebounds and 12 assists), the Lakers misplaced to the staff that entered with the worst report within the NBA. The remainder of the Lakers roster stepped as much as assistance on offense however had been horrible on protection, permitting 139 factors.
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This recreation in opposition to the Rockets might be the ultimate straw for James, as this Lakers season has simply worsened.
