By Sunday 
When it comes to the final moments of a tight game, fans expect fireworks—last-second fadeaways, buzzer-beaters, or dramatic drives to the rim. And when you’re LeBron James, the expectation is even higher. But while many stars lean into the “hero ball” mentality, LeBron has always played by a different code—one rooted in team success and basketball IQ.
And he’s not backing down from it.
“I Was Taught the Game the Right Way”
On a recent episode of his Mind the Game podcast with Steve Nash, LeBron opened up about his clutch-time decision-making. Rather than force a contested shot, he’s known for finding the open man—something that has brought him both wins and, curiously, criticism.
“I just stay true to what got me to that point,” LeBron said. “Like I knew I was taught the game the right way as a kid because we won. It worked. It really worked.”
That mindset was formed early. LeBron pointed to his success in high school—three state championships—as proof that team play, not individual glory, leads to results. “I never averaged more than 30 points in high school. I think my highest average was like 27-28… I could’ve averaged 50, but it was never about that. It was about, how can I maximize my teammates?”
That unselfish approach has followed him through every phase of his NBA career. Whether it’s Cleveland, Miami, or L.A., LeBron’s north star has remained the same: making the right basketball play.
“I’ll Take It Every Time”
The criticism, however, hasn’t gone away. LeBron recalled Game 5 of the 2020 NBA Finals, when he drove the lane, drew multiple defenders, and kicked it out to Danny Green—who missed a wide-open three. Fans erupted, questioning why LeBron didn’t take the shot himself.
But he’s never doubted the decision.
“I take it every time,” he said. “People are like why didn’t you take the shot… there he goes again passing the shot.”
He pointed to one of his favorite quotes—Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena”—to put it all in perspective. “It’s always the guy that’s not in the arena [who] is the one that’s the loudest… But you’ve never stepped foot in the arena so how can you ever challenge what I am doing?”
Legacy Secured, Criticism Aside
While some still grumble when LeBron passes instead of shooting in the clutch, the results speak for themselves. Multiple championships. Four MVPs. All-time scoring leader. Three franchises that will one day hang his jersey in the rafters.
His style may not echo the one-man-show heroics of Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant, but it works. And perhaps more importantly—it’s authentic.
LeBron has always said his goal is simple: do whatever it takes to win. Sometimes that means taking the shot. Other times, it means trusting a teammate.
Either way, it’s the right play.
A Class Act Beyond the Court
LeBron’s leadership doesn’t stop at basketball. After Celtics star Jayson Tatum suffered what appeared to be a serious Achilles injury in Game 4 against the Knicks, James didn’t hesitate to send love—despite the legendary rivalry between their teams.
“Prayers up for JT,” LeBron wrote on social media.
In a league where drama often spills off the court, it’s moments like this that show why LeBron remains one of the most respected voices in the game. Whether he’s dishing out dimes or offering words of support, LeBron James plays the right way—in every sense.