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4 hours ago
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LeBron James has put together one of the most prolific careers in NBA history, spanning over 20 years, and has reached the pinnacle of the sport, delivering a championship to the franchise every year.
One of James' major career milestones came to an end early this season when his 1,297-game streak of scoring 10 points ended in the Lakers' match against the team.
In the latest episode of Mind the Game Podcast James, alongside co-host Steve Nash, reflected on his impressive streak coming to an end.
"I'm a guy who goes to the bench, and I like to look at the stat sheet. I like to look at what I'm shooting from the field, and I like to be super efficient. I'd be lying to say that I don't know how many points I have at any given moment of the game, but I never went into the game during the streak saying, 'OK, I have to get 10 points. I have to keep this streak going.' It would be a disservice to me and the way I play the game. And it showed in how this streak ended, in how I've always played the game."
James notes that the streak couldn't have come to an end a game prior against the Phoenix Suns when James finished the contest with 10 points in a blowout loss.
"I mean, there were some close calls for sure. I had a season in which I believe, I don't know if it was 2021 or '22 or maybe '20, I don't know, coming out of the bubble. I was playing some of the best basketball of my career, even at that stage, and we were playing Atlanta when my leg got rolled up on. And any time that I've sprained my ankle or my leg got rolled up on or whatever,"James said.
He added, "I've had this routine of like, 'OK, you feel it, but let's just tighten the shoes. Let's tighten the shoes up a little bit tighter and let's get going.' And I played a little bit more through it. I was on the left wing, got a pass, and hit a three. I think that actually put me up to 10 points. And my leg just started getting really, really hot, and I could barely run. Basically, long story short, I think I was out maybe 4-6 weeks with a high ankle sprain. And that was one of the moments where I was like, yeah, very easily could've ended that night for sure. And there were a couple of other moments too, but that was definitely one that sticks out in the front of my mind."
James, who missed most of the season, had struggled to get it going in the game against the Raptors, shooting 4 out of 17 from the field. He had a chance to extend the streak by hitting a game-winning dagger; however, James passed up the shot to find a wide-open Rui Hachimura for the game-winner.
"Yeah, I was clearly aware. You know, I was so not in a rhythm. The one rhythm I know I will always have is the ability to draw a crowd and put the ball on time, on target. I had a couple shots in that game where, literally, I had a three on the right wing that would've put me up to 11 points that hit all the rim, hit the backboard, came back around the rim again, and then came out. I was like, 'OK, it's one of those nights. It's one of those nights."
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English (US)