When you are The King, what you do good or bad overshadows everything.
LeBron James has been the King of the NBA for the past decade. His every move has been scrutinized. His every mistake analyzed and overanalyzed. When things went wrong for his team, it fell on his broad shoulders. The failures to win a championship for nearly the first 10 years of his career, were a statement about him and his lack of greatness.
That narrative has not completely died out even as he has won his two titles.
So on a night when Solomon Hill does this:
And Eric Bledsoe hits a layup with 28 seconds left for the Suns in a win.
And the Lakers came back with an 11-2 run to defeat the Rockets.
And Brandon Knight came back from missing a potential game-tying layup in a triple overtime win for the Bucks in Brooklyn.
We are talking about LeBron James and how he left the ball at midcourt with a chance to win against the defending champion Spurs.
Here is the play in question:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9f-OMbk5Q0
There were two turnovers James committed in the final moments that ultimately cost the Cavaliers the game. This one could not necessarily be blamed on a team growing together or a team struggling defensively. This came down to one man making the wrong play. James recognized that in raising his hand in blame as he walked back to the huddle.
The Spurs won 92-90, continuing their mastery over James.
| Score | Off. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
| San Antonio | 92 | 101.1 | 50.7 | 26.3 | 17.6 | 33.8 |
| Cleveland | 90 | 93.1 | 48.8 | 23.8 | 18.6 | 15.7 |
Tim Duncan (SAS) — 19 pts., 10 rebs.; Boris Diaw (SAS) — 19 pts.
Anderson Varejao (CLE) — 23 pts., 11 rebs.; Kyrie Irving (CLE) — 20 pts.
Game to Watch (11/20): Clippers vs. Heat, 8 p.m./TNT
James though has not really been himself quite yet.
He scored 15 points to go with six rebounds and nine assists in this game, turning it over five times. For the season, he is averaging 25.9 points per game, 6.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game. So much for lightening the load.
And when you are carrying such a heavy burden, mistakes are bound to happen. And the eyes will be on you.
James seems used to that. But maybe not this obviously and not without a shot for at least a chance to win.
