Is Lebron protecting his FG%?

[Don Draper]

I'm a Lebron fan but I'm convinced he's protecting his FG%. I just watched him pass up at least 5 wide open 3s (even a corner 3). I understand good shot selection but this is ridiculous. It's not like he can't shoot them and his % hasn't recently been bad so it can't be a confidence issue.

[Imon]

From what I've seen it looks like it.
It wouldn't surprise me at all if it was the case. Didn't Lebron and Wade have a contest last year or two years ago over who can shoot over 50% or something like that over the longest period of time?

[heatwillbeback]

He doesn't take shots he feels are bad. If the Heat team fg% was bad and he was passing up shots it would be an issue, but that's not the case.

He is efficient. The team is efficient.

I do think he cares about his percentage, but caring about efficiency isn't an issue.

[PCProductions]

He loses confidence in his jump shot.

[Sonny Carson]

Yea he is.

But as long as he doesnt do it in the playoffs I'm good. Its just annoying to watch some games now though.

[Don Draper]

He doesn't take shots he feels are bad. If the Heat team fg% was bad and he was passing up shots it would be an issue, but that's not the case.

He is efficient. The team is efficient.

I do think he cares about his percentage, but caring about efficiency isn't an issue.

I understand but he was passing up WIDE OPEN 3s to drive into a sagging defender or to pass to teammate that wasn't as open. This isn't a matter of not taking bad shots, he was passing up open shots.

[WinisKing]

Hes reverse 2011, passes during the first 3Q, takes almost every shot in the last few minutes. Even bad ones

[Joao Saraiva]

He passed one open 3 in the corner. He took some 3s that didn't fall tough... what's up with that? He was passive during the third quarter.

He did drive a lot today but he was defended by Thompson in a lot of plays. He can take him with his dribble, so he should. Why take bad 3s when he can drive into the lane and score almost at will?

Also he has been to the finals 3 years in a row. He can't play every night like it is his last game, he has to start a little slower the season and that's fine. He still got 25 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals.

[wicked_crossova]

god forbid a player tries to be efficient when taking shots

[bushybrah_]

I saw this thread coming after that Heat-Cavs game. But as a fan, yes he is. He passes up uncontested shots he's been hitting consistently this season. I think he's aiming for triple doubles or something now, I don't know. But its selfish play & its costing the Heat leads. He can't continue doing this every game or we're in trouble.

[TheRobin]

I hate watching him play now. It's like he's giving Durant the MVP this year. When was the last time this joker dropped 50?

[PaulieWal]

Guy had 25/9/9 on 9-12 shooting. He knows his 3 pt shooting is off. He's only shooting 25% from 3 in December.

Makes sense he isn't willing to shoot 3s.

[Boobs]

Well he's winning, so who the f*** cares

[Don Draper]

He passed one open 3 in the corner. He took some 3s that didn't fall tough... what's up with that? He was passive during the third quarter.

He did drive a lot today but he was defended by Thompson in a lot of plays. He can take him with his dribble, so he should. Why take bad 3s when he can drive into the lane and score almost at will?

Also he has been to the finals 3 years in a row. He can't play every night like it is his last game, he has to start a little slower the season and that's fine. He still got 25 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals.

Are you not reading what I posted? I'm talking about wide open threes. Not contested shots. Not even passing up a good shot for a better shot. I respect Lebron's ability to make the right play and yes he had a good stat line, but that has absolutely nothing to with what I'm taking about.

It's annoying that some of you guys think he's a above even the slightest bit of criticism.

[og15]

Miami:
50.4% FG. league leader
38.6% 3PT, 6th in NBA
.559 eFG%, league leader

Seems like he's taking the shots he should be taking. I mean, look, it's only a problem if it is hurting the teams offense.

...but yes, he might be, but unless it becomes an issue for the team, it is a trivial complaint really.

[Joao Saraiva]

He passed one open 3 in the corner. He took some 3s that didn't fall tough... what's up with that? He was passive during the third quarter.

He did drive a lot today but he was defended by Thompson in a lot of plays. He can take him with his dribble, so he should. Why take bad 3s when he can drive into the lane and score almost at will?

Also he has been to the finals 3 years in a row. He can't play every night like it is his last game, he has to start a little slower the season and that's fine. He still got 25 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists and 4 steals.

Are you not reading what I posted? I'm talking about wide open threes. Not contested shots. Not even passing up a good shot for a better shot. I respect Lebron's ability to make the right play and yes he had a good stat line, but that has absolutely nothing to with what I'm taking about.

It's annoying that some of you guys think he's a above even the slightest bit of criticism.

I saw him passing up one open three. The other times he had a good look from 3 he got into the lane and scored so he did really pass up a shot to get an even better one.

You can criticize LeBron, sure. If you tell me he's not completely foccused and has turned the ball a lot this season on stupid situations I accept it. If you tell me he did not play to his standards on the 2011 finals I accept it too. Even if you criticize his shot selection I can accept it, but I have the right to disagree.

[Brandon_Roy7]

I hate watching him play now. It's like he's giving Durant the MVP this year. When was the last time this joker dropped 50?

probably the game in NY or was that kobe? idk... lol. I just remember that week nyk got killed by both of them.

[LakerLegend]

There's a difference between taking smart shots and being efficient vs. trying to protect your stats and hurting your team.

[Don Draper]

I saw him passing up one open three. The other times he had a good look from 3 he got into the lane and scored so he did really pass up a shot to get an even better one.

Then you weren't paying attention to game. He passed up at least 3 open threes in the 3rd quarter when the Cavs made their run. On 2 occasions Sideshow Bob was sagging off him and he decided to barrel into him. Another was a corner three he passed it to someone who wasn't open.

You can criticize LeBron, sure. If you tell me he's not completely foccused and has turned the ball a lot this season on stupid situations I accept it. If you tell me he did not play to his standards on the 2011 finals I accept it too. Even if you criticize his shot selection I can accept it, but I have the right to disagree.

Sure you have the right to disagree but don't sit and act like it didn't happen. It so obvious I even asked in the game thread.

[bostonHEATparty]

When his shot is not falling or he's not feeling it he tries to affect the game in other ways. He could keep forcing jumpers when his shot hasn't been in a rhythm for a couple games, but theres no point.