LeBron James’ inability to take over called out by Shannon Sharpe after loss against Cleveland Cavaliers: “LeBron, stop passing the ball!”
LeBron James and the LA Lakers had been on a bit of a hot streak prior to Tuesday night's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. After struggling to start the season, the team recently went 8-2 over a 10-game stretch. It marked an impressive turnaround for a franchise that had been on the verge of trending towards one of the worst records in NBA history.
Going into the game, Anthony Davis was listed as probable due to ongoing lower back tightness. Despite ultimately starting for the Lakers, he was quickly pulled as a result of flu-like symptoms. With Davis out for the remainder of the game, it was on LeBron James to lead the Lakers starters as they looked to cause an upset over a 16-9 Cavaliers team.
The team willed their way back in the third quarter following an eight-point deficit going into the half, they then fell apart in the fourth. After a disappointing 116-102 loss that saw the Lakers outscored 31-19 throughout the final quarter, Shannon Sharpe had some choice words for LeBron James.
"Especially with Anthony Davis not in the lineup, and sometimes when AD was in the lineup you were getting blown off the court [earlier this year], but you won the third quarter 34 to 28 so I'm like okay, 8:30 left in the ballgame, we got a tie ball game I thought I'm about to sit back while he (LeBron) go do his thing. "
As Sharpe went on to explain, that wasn't the case. With the game on the line, LeBron looked to get his teammates involved in the final minutes.
"LeBron, stop passing the ball! Stop no no don't pass it! Get em all to LeBron. Put somebody in the pick & roll, LeBron get downhill! And it didn't happen."
You can see his comments in the video below at the beginning of the video.
LeBron James' performance in the Lakers' loss
As Sharpe went on to point out, LeBron James had a great game, and not just that, he's also had a great season so far despite playing in just 17 of the Lakers 23 games. With lingering injuries sidelining him for key games early on, one would think James needs some time to get back to prime form.
Despite posting solid averages, the Lakers are sitting in 13th place in the Western Conference with a record of 10-13. Although the loss snapped a three-game win streak, it was a game the team could have won.
"Until that point he did have a career-high 17 road rebounds. ... And he played well this year, I mean he's averaging 26 points a game, nine rebounds, six assists, on 47% shooting but the goal is to win ball games. And I thought this was a very winnable ballgame, even with Anthony Davis being out of the ballgame."
With the season in full swing, the Lakers will need to keep up their winning ways and put their latest loss behind them. They will take on the Toronto Raptors in their next game.
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You can watch some of the highlights from the game against the Cavaliers below.