Skip Bayless attacks LeBron James, highlights his unsuccessful attempt to tie game against Blazers - "Some things never change; No clutch gene"
LeBron James and the LA Lakers lost 106-104 to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday after he missed a potential game-tying turnaround jumper. The Lakers blew a sizable lead with under two minutes left in the game to start the season with an 0-3 slate.
Unabashed "King James" critic Skip Bayless quickly pounced on the miss to take another shot at the four-time MVP:
“LeBron fallaway j to tie - way short! Some things never change. No clutch gene. Lakers give up a 16-6 run at home down the stretch, lose by two to Dame [Damian Lillard] and Co.”
LeBron fallaway j to tie - way short! Some things never change. No clutch gene. Lakers give up a 16-6 run at home down the stretch, lose by two to Dame and Co.
The “no clutch gene” dig has particularly gone up several notches in James’ last two years with the LA Lakers. Bayless brought it up repeatedly last season and is back to the same refrain in just the third game of the Lakers’ dismal campaign.
Lost in his criticism was the fact that LA may not have even been in that position had it not been for James. The Lakers co-captain did the most damage to the Portland Trail Blazers in the last few minutes of the game.
LeBron James’ last basket tied the game before Jerami Grant provided the final score. The four-time MVP finished with a team-high 31 points to go with eight rebounds, eight assists, two steals and two blocks.
“King James" gave it everything he got, but just couldn’t make the last shot to send the game into overtime.
The Lakers are now 0-3.
LeBron missed the game-tying shot to send the game into OT. https://t.co/md2p36WCIF
Bayless’ criticism about the four-time champ not being clutch isn’t true at all. He has had eight buzzer-beaters in his career, second only to Michael Jordan’s nine.
Following the miss against the Portland Trail Blazers, LeBron James is now 6-of-10 for potential game-winning shots taken in the last 10 seconds. The LA Lakers didn’t make the playoffs last season, which means that James’ five buzzer-beating shots in the postseason remain the same.
His clutch efficiency for a pass-first player is very impressive. Bayless’ criticism for James seems to come from his misses in the clutch, but Jordan and Kobe Bryant have had failed attempts as well.
Skip Bayless blames LeBron James for the LA Lakers’ loss to the Portland Trail Blazers
Skip Bayless has several main reasons for putting the LA Lakers’ loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on LeBron James’ shoulders.
In the final 4:42 minutes of the game, he had three missed outside shots, including the potential game-winner. If “King James” had made any of those, Bayless claimed that the Lakers could have at least tied the game.
Another one of his reasons was LeBron James' failure to contain Jerami Grant, who gave Portland the game's final lead. Grant went by James and scored on a tough layup even with Anthony Davis’ help defense.
Lakers successfully deny Dame, but Jerami Grant goes to the rack for the lead with 3 seconds left! What a damn game.
play.underdogfantasy.com/p-world-wide-w… https://t.co/TSaoMc9hf8
Lastly, the veteran sports talk show host questioned James’ decision to take a turnaround jump shot when he had Damian Lillard guarding him. “Dame Dolla” is way smaller than the hulking James.
For Bayless, attacking the rim would have been the best option as he could also draw a foul and then tie the game from the free-throw line.
.@RealSkipBayless on the Lakers blowing 4th quarter lead to the Blazers:
"The Lakers have a better chance with Austin Reaves in the lineup instead of Russ. He's not going to take ill-advised shots and will play defense." https://t.co/sJ8xYe6NmW
Lost in the criticism was the LA Lakers’ numerous opportunities to win the game because of James. He created open looks, drew the defense and largely carried the team until they lost. The GOAT candidate gave it his best but just didn’t have enough coming from the supporting cast to tow LA to a win.