Heat @ Jazz

[elemento]

Fundamentally, the play was sound. But the criticism goes beyond just whether it was a good basketball play or not. LeBron was scoring at will for the entire quarter while Haslem scored 4 points the enitre game and the only basket he had in that 4th quarter was a dunk. On paper, the play was good. When you look at other factors in the game, even if it's not as open a shot, I think you'd still prefer LeBron to take a shot attempt over Haslem in that situation.

But that's exactly why Lebron shouldn't have taken that shot. You don't go with the obvious in crunch time.

That's exactly why Lebron could find Haslem wide open. The Jazz was expecting Lebron to take the last shot, he made the pass and Haslem missed. I don't see how you guys can blame Lebron on that seriously.

[DAF86]

Lebron did what he had to do, period.

I prefer a wide open mid-range shot over a fade away over two guys every day of the week.

I don't get this reasoning that a guy should take the last shot at the end of the game even if it's a bad one just because he's the star of the team. It's ing re ed.

[JamStone]

But that's exactly why Lebron shouldn't have taken that shot. You don't go with the obvious in crunch time.

That's exactly why Lebron could find Haslem wide open. The Jazz was expecting Lebron to take the last shot, he made the pass and Haslem missed. I don't see how you guys can blame Lebron on that seriously.

I don't have a huge problem with the play. I'm not even blaming LeBron for the play. I just understand the criticism once you consider everything.

I do disagree that it was "the right" basketball play in that it suggests that there is a right play and a wrong play, and no in between. I think it's more of a matter of shades of gray when it comes to something like this. Haslem was open, so it's a fundamentally sound play. But do I think LeBron either pulling up for a short midrange or going all the way to attack the rim would be "the wrong" play? Nope. The way the fourth quarter was going, I wouldn't have any issue with that at all.

And as for not going for the obvious in crunchtime, when the defense knows what you're going to do and still can't stop you, I see no problem with going with the "obvious." It's something that defines many of the great players in the past. They were going to take the last shot, they knew it, the defense knew it, the entire stadium knew, everybody watching knew it, and usually they would still make it anyway.

[JamStone]

Lebron did what he had to do, period.

I prefer a wide open mid-range shot over a fade away over two guys every day of the week.

I don't get this reasoning that a guy should take the last shot at the end of the game even if it's a bad one just because he's the star of the team. It's ing re ed.

Why would it have been a fade-away? The guy in front of him gave him plenty of space. It could have been a routine midrange jumper, a floater, or LeBron could have taken it all the way to the rim. He had enough time for a number of different things.

You prefer a wide open midrange shot over what shot LeBron would have attempted. Others might prefer the guy who single-handedly brought the team back and went 8-for-9 from the field in the 4th quarter to take the shot over a guy who had scored 4 points all game. Different perspectives.

[DAF86]

He was doubled, he passed it to an open teammate at a position where that teammate can produce. That's THE right play. The criticism he's getting is unjustified. That's it.

[Magua]

LeBron apologists are out in full force today

Lebron 8/9 in the 4th quarter
but passing to Haslem (4 pts) for an 18-footer was "the right play"

[Brazil]

DAF is absolutely right on that one. It was the right play, would have been better tough if Bosh was in Hasleem spot

[Brazil]

Manu would have passed it too.... oh wait...

[venky]

LeDefer did the right thing. He has no clutch gene at all, I wouldn't want him taking the last shot.

[HarlemHeat37]

Lebron has made some of the most clutch shots in NBA history..

meaningless regular season game winners, like certain other "clutch players"..

[Giuseppe]

..those come in handy in Game 7's so you're standing in CA. vs MA. when you sight off the crown of Pierce's noggin.

tee, hee.

[pass1st]

Lebron has made some of the most clutch shots in NBA history..

meaningless regular season game winners, like certain other "clutch players"..

His most clutch shot was against Orlando and that isn't even in the top 10

[TIMMYtoZO]

ELE tomorrow, TIM?

I don't make bets. It's my religion.