Originally published by LakersNation.com
Becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer was likely something Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James never dreamed of being, but he’s been a model of scoring consistency since entering the league.
Throughout his career, James has always been counted on to lead his team in scoring though he’s been able to take more of a backseat in Year 23.
James can lean on the likes of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to carry the scoring load and a prime example came in the team’s win against the Toronto Raptors. Reaves led all scorers with 44 points while James only had eight, ending his double-digit scoring streak at a historic 1,297 games. The Lakers time LeBron scored less than 10 points in a regular-season game was January 5, 2007.
James had a chance to break double digits on the final possession and keep the streak going, but he passed it to Rui Hachimura who drained the game-winning 3-pointer. After the game, James said he was just making the right play as he always does, via Spectrum SportsNet:
“Just playing the game the right way. I always make the right play, that’s been my M.O. That’s how I was taught that game, that’s how I’ve been my whole career. There was not even one second-guessing there. Once they doubled AR and the ball found me, I knew it was a numbers game and we had a four-on-three advantage. Just tried to put the ball on time and on target and Rui stuck it.”
James added he had no negative feelings about his streak ending because the Lakers won the game:
“None. We won.”
Making the correct basketball play is something James has always done at the end of games throughout his career and has often received criticism for it. Even though he could have forced up a shot to keep the streak going, he was not gonna change what he has been doing his whole career:
“You guys have been around me for eight years, been covering my career, I always just make the right play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw. You make the right play and the [Basketball Gods] always give it back to me. Whether I’m able to win or lose or whatever, that’s just how I was raised and how I always play the game… That aspect was always one of the most foolish things I’ve ever heard as far as making the right pass, making the right play. We are in the business of winning basketball games and my whole life I’ve just played the game that way and taught the game that way and I’ve won at every single level by playing the game that way. So there was no reason for me to ever change when I got to this level, basketball is basketball.”
It speaks volumes that James prioritized the win over his own stats and it’s bodes well for the Lakers’ camaraderie and success moving forward.
Buzz around NBA is 2025-26 season will be LeBron James’ last in L.A.
While LeBron James has shown no signs of being discontent this season, the buzz around the NBA is that the 2025-26 season will be the star’s last with the Lakers.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!
Becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer was likely something Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James never dreamed of being, but he’s been a model of scoring consistency since entering the league.
Throughout his career, James has always been counted on to lead his team in scoring though he’s been able to take more of a backseat in Year 23.
James can lean on the likes of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to carry the scoring load and a prime example came in the team’s win against the Toronto Raptors. Reaves led all scorers with 44 points while James only had eight, ending his double-digit scoring streak at a historic 1,297 games. The Lakers time LeBron scored less than 10 points in a regular-season game was January 5, 2007.
James had a chance to break double digits on the final possession and keep the streak going, but he passed it to Rui Hachimura who drained the game-winning 3-pointer. After the game, James said he was just making the right play as he always does, via Spectrum SportsNet:
“Just playing the game the right way. I always make the right play, that’s been my M.O. That’s how I was taught that game, that’s how I’ve been my whole career. There was not even one second-guessing there. Once they doubled AR and the ball found me, I knew it was a numbers game and we had a four-on-three advantage. Just tried to put the ball on time and on target and Rui stuck it.”
James added he had no negative feelings about his streak ending because the Lakers won the game:
“None. We won.”
Making the correct basketball play is something James has always done at the end of games throughout his career and has often received criticism for it. Even though he could have forced up a shot to keep the streak going, he was not gonna change what he has been doing his whole career:
“You guys have been around me for eight years, been covering my career, I always just make the right play. That’s automatic, win, lose or draw. You make the right play and the [Basketball Gods] always give it back to me. Whether I’m able to win or lose or whatever, that’s just how I was raised and how I always play the game… That aspect was always one of the most foolish things I’ve ever heard as far as making the right pass, making the right play. We are in the business of winning basketball games and my whole life I’ve just played the game that way and taught the game that way and I’ve won at every single level by playing the game that way. So there was no reason for me to ever change when I got to this level, basketball is basketball.”
It speaks volumes that James prioritized the win over his own stats and it’s bodes well for the Lakers’ camaraderie and success moving forward.
Buzz around NBA is 2025-26 season will be LeBron James’ last in L.A.
While LeBron James has shown no signs of being discontent this season, the buzz around the NBA is that the 2025-26 season will be the star’s last with the Lakers.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!
