On the latest episode of “Mind the Game” with Hall of Famer Steve Nash, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James spoke about his critics.
James is one of the most scrutinized players in NBA history. Many of James’ critics bash him when he doesn’t take the final shot for his team.
In Game 5 of the 2020 NBA Finals between the Lakers and Miami Heat, James passed the ball to Danny Green, who was wide open from 3. Green, though, missed the shot and the Lakers lost to the Heat by a final score of 111-108.
After the game, James’ critics ripped him for not taking the last shot, even though the leading scorer in NBA history was guarded by multiple players.
James spoke about those critics with Nash.
“Even with the criticism, and it still goes on, like in the 2020 Finals. I had an unbelievable game against the Heat. Late in the game, I drove the ball. Two or three defenders came at me. I found Danny Green wide open for a three. He missed it. And we went to Game 6. I’d make that play every time,” James said. “And people say, ‘Why didn’t you take the shot? There he goes again passing up the shot.’
“They’ve never been there. They don’t understand. One of my favorite quotes, though I don’t know it verbatim, is from Theodore Roosevelt about the man in the arena. It is not the critic who counts. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena. And the loudest voices are always from those not in the arena. So, how can you challenge what I’m doing if you’ve never even stepped foot in there?”
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron Jame
James and the Lakers wound up winning the 2020 Finals in six games at the Walt Disney World bubble.
James is a four-time MVP, a four-time champion and a four-time Finals MVP. He became the No. 1 scorer of all time in 2023.
A future Hall of Famer, James has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers (twice), Heat and Lakers. He’s the only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in points and assists.
The 40-year-old James has career averages of 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.7 blocks.
