LeBron James passed on a massive chance to give the Los Angeles Lakers the win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. Of course veteran broadcaster Skip Bayless saw it as an opportunity to criticize the veteran forward.
With the game tied at 120 and just five seconds left on the clock, LeBron attacked the basket for what could have been a game-winner. Naturally, there's some tough defense waiting for him under the basket, forcing him to pass the ball to a wide-open Carmelo Anthony behind the 3-point line. After a fake to fool a defender, Melo had enough time to hoist a mid-range shot.
Unfortunately, it didn't go in and the Lakers eventually lost in overtime, 139-130.
Bayless, however, didn't let it slip that James refused to take the last shot in the game. After all, even if he missed it, the game would still be tied. It could have been the perfect time for him to take over and deliver the winner. But he didn't, and the FOX Sports analyst couldn't hold back in his criticism.
Chicken.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) March 10, 2022
It's easy to see where LeBron James was coming from. Given that there isn't a ton of pressure on the last shot and seeing Carmelo Anthony was wide open, he made the decision to give him the ball. Besides, Melo is known for his mid-range shot and he definitely makes a lot of those more often than not.
However, Skip Bayless does make a point about James passing on the last shot. It certainly doesn't help that the Lakers forward has long been criticized for his lack of killer mentality. The normal defense on it is that LeBron made the correct and ideal pass, but then again, one could also argue that he should know when to take over and motivate his team. At this point of the season and amid their struggles, the Purple and Gold franchise could have really used a boost.
For what it's worth, it's not only Skip who was critical of the Lakers following the loss. For one, team legend James Worthy was not happy LA did not show the tenacity and belief that they can win–which he points is the main reason for their defeat.
The Lakers drop to 28-37 on the season with the loss. They remain in the ninth seed in the West, so they still have a shot at the play-in. Nonetheless, the New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers are within striking distance behind them and are more than capable of surpassing them if their slump continues.
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