The star player for the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, played brilliantly during the 2024–25 NBA season. Regretfully, the squad lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opening round of the playoffs.
James was regularly criticized for his choice to pass the ball in crucial situations. He recently delivered a strong speech on the value of team accomplishment over individual recognition in response to this criticism.
In a recent Mind The Game podcast episode, James stated:
“I never averaged more than 30 points in high school. I could have averaged 50 points a game in my junior and senior years, but it was never about that. It was about how can I maximize my teammates, how can I get the most out of my teammates in order for all of us to be successful,”
LeBron James on passing the ball in clutch situations despite criticism
“I never averaged 30 points a game in high school… I could have averaged 50 but it was never about that. How can I get the most out of my teammates for all of us to be successful.”
(Via @mindthegamepod) pic.twitter.com/ukdMumcCof
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) May 15, 2025
James emphasized his unwavering dedication to helping his colleagues perform, putting their success ahead of his own accomplishments. His commitment to teamwork showed his leadership abilities and emphasized his preference for group achievement over individual praise.
