“Michael Jordan was a decoy on that play” - Chris Broussard applauds for Darvin Ham and defends LeBron James not attempting the clutch shot

The Lakers got their second win of the season by defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 120-117 in overtime on Wednesday. Matt Ryan's 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime provided the critical play.

🚨 MATT RYAN SENDS IT TO OT 🚨

OT on the NBA App👇
app.link.nba.com/e/watch_now https://t.co/NL4kP9l9Nc

On FS1’s “First Things First,” the three hosts discussed if it was a big deal that LeBron James did not take the last shot. Not always taking the last shot has often been a critique of LeBron.

The hosts all agreed that it was not a big deal. As per usual, when LeBron James’ career is being discussed, Michael Jordan is brought into the conversation to either compare or contrast. The belief of many fans is that Jordan would have taken the last shot. Co-host Chris Broussard rejected the idea and even quoted Jordan saying he didn't always take the last shot.

The hosts referenced the famous Game 6 shot in the 1993 NBA Finals, when John Paxson took the last shot to seal the game and title.

“Michael Jordan was a decoy on that play,” Broussard said.

The hosts also credited coach Darvin Ham for calling a play that didn’t have to go to LeBron as well as his decision to bring Russell Westbrook off the bench. Coach Ham appears to be making the hard decisions, which is something the Lakers will need if they are going to improve.

"Congratulations to Darvin Ham! He is coaching! But no, LeBron not getting the last shot is not a big deal. ... Michael Jordan told me himself, 'I was a decoy at times at the end of games." — @Chris_Broussard https://t.co/FXtCdbE5hY

The myth about LeBron and the game-winner

A lot is made of the idea of the last shot. When a team is down by two or three points or tied at the end of the game and there is one possession left, who should take the shot? The question should be: Who do you want to have the ball? Sometimes, the best players are not always equipped to take the last shot.

These dramatic shots stick in the minds of fans and create moments that are never forgotten. There was Jordan’s game-winner to seal the Bulls’ sixth title over Byron Russell in 1998. There was Damian Lillard hitting a game-winning 3-pointer over Paul George to eliminate the OKC Thunder from the playoffs.

LeBron James is sometimes not seen as a player who is willing to take that shot. It goes back to his early days in Cleveland, when he passed up a game-winner to Damon Jones and one to Donyell Marshall in the playoffs. People remember Kyrie Irving hitting the game-winner in the 2016 NBA Finals to defeat the Warriors.

The times when James took the game-winner have been discounted because he tried to make the best play.

James hit a game winner-against the Bulls in the 2015 playoffs. Who has the most game-winning playoff buzzer beaters in NBA history? It's LeBron James.

Most career Playoff GW Buzzer-Beaters in NBA history:
1. LeBron James (5)^
2. Michael Jordan (3)
T3. Jerry West, Jo Jo White, Paul Pierce, & Damian Lillard^ (2)
https://t.co/w0icwQrBpV

Sometimes, the last shot should go to the best player, but sometimes that player doesn’t have the best shot. The ultimate goal is to win the game no matter who is shooting the shot.