LeBron James has three-word response to his scoring streak coming to an end

Michael Kaskey-Blomain

•
LeBron James has three-word response to his scoring streak coming to an end image

For the first time in nearly two decades, Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James failed to reach double figures in a game. James scored just eight points in L.A.’s 123-120 win over the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night, bringing his record-setting streak of double-digit scoring games to a halt at 1,297.

The streak started way back on Jan. 6, 2007. Before Barack Obama was President of the United States. Before Instagram existed. Before most players in the league today were even old enough to drive. Before, well, you get the point.  And now it’s over.

When asked what feelings he had about his staggering streak coming to an end after the win over Toronto, James had a simple, three-word response: “None. We won.”

James has always presented as a team-first guy, so it's not surprising that he'd be more concerned with the outcome of the contest than an individual accolade. And even though he didn't score in double figures, he still found ways to impact the game  – he had the game-winning assist on a corner pass to Rui Hachimura.

 

In the past, James has been criticized for passing the ball off in similar situations with the game on the line, but he has consistently decided to make the sound basketball play, as opposed to playing hero ball.

"Just playing the game the right way. You always make the right play," James said of the pass to Hachimura. "That's just been my M.O. That's how I was taught the game. I've done that my whole career.

"I always just make the right play," he added. That's automatic, win, lose or draw. You make the right play -- the game gods are always giving back to me."

James’ ability to trust in his teammates has always been one of his greatest assets as a player, and he drew praise from fellow Lakers for his unselfish play after the game.

"He's such an unselfish player," Lakers center Jake LaRavia said of James. "He's just playing the game of basketball. He had the opportunity but because of the player he is and just who he is as a person, he made the unselfish play, passed it to Rui and we won the game."

LeBron’s scoring streak had to come to an end eventually, so a Thursday night in December in Toronto is as good a time as any. Plus, while James might be sad that the streak is over, he can take solace in the fact that it probably won’t be bested for a very, very long time.

Staff Writer