LeBron James Explains Decision to Pass up Final Shot in Lakers Loss vs. Rockets

The Los Angeles Lakers lost the game to the Houston Rockets and LeBron James decided to pass the final shot. The team added another loss to the chart and fans started arguing whether LeBron made the right decision.

King James sent the ball flying but Carmelo Anthony missed. Their opponents used the mistake and built a good lead. The Lakers finished the game with a 139-130 loss. LeBron played 45 minutes in the game and scored 32 points, 14 rebounds, 12 assists, and 4 blocks.

“We gotta figure out how to win down the stretch, how to win these close games,” Melo said. “Not worrying about how we’re not going to lose.”

LeBron decided to pass the final shot for a reason

Why did LeBron make this pass?

“Ended up behind the backboard,” said the four-time NBA champion. “I was a little bit off-balance and I could have forced a reverse layup, but I wasn’t in the position to feel like I could have got a great look. I could have got a decent look and I feel like Melo’s look was a lot better than mine.”

Can we really say LeBron is clutch if he passed this off to Donyel – Carmelo Anthony? pic.twitter.com/3p80crVSN3

— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) March 10, 2022

LeBron decided to throw the ball to his teammate like he usually does.

“I saw ‘Bron going to the basket,” Melo detailed. “I just wanted to try and get in his eyesight. Thought he had a layup, but after watching it, the replay on the bench, he was off-balance a little bit.”

Reporters asked LeBron whether he thought of taking it to Austin Reaves.

“Yeah. But Russ was diving at the same time, so I didn’t have a — Russ dove but then I believe ran into Jalen Green at the same time. I saw Austin but I didn’t have an– If I throw the ball that way and he misses it, now it’s going that way.”

Russell Westbrook scored 30+ points for the 5th time this season and LeBron put up 23/14/12 with 4 blocks (also 9-26 FG). The Lakers lost to the 17-49 Rockets, 139-130.

— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) March 10, 2022

LeBron had a decent performance after missing a game due to an injury. His health is not helping the Lakers and Anthony Davis is still out.

LeBron taking flight from way far away pic.twitter.com/RSQi36tRJ9

— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) March 10, 2022

"We have a very small margin of error this year and teams are making us pay." @KingJames on the #Lakers struggles, the last play in the fourth quarter and an update on his knee. pic.twitter.com/yt6MK4V5AA

— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 10, 2022

The Lakers have to start winning games because they are in a desperate situation. The front office is far from happy with the current record. Players are motivated to win, but they struggle to make an impact.