The LeBron Hating Convention Adjourns Today

So he passed on the last shot. To an open teammate. For a game-winning shot. From a veteran who had made 6 three-pointers in the last game, and had a perfect look. Why, it sounds almost like... a certain pass to Steve Kerr for a game-winning playoff shot.

People make it sound so disastrous. LeBron is afraid, he's not a leader, he's not channeling his inner MJ/Magic/Bird/Isaiah, he'll never get there.

Let's consider the alternative. He takes the shot and misses it. He's not getting the call, since The King was 0-0 from the line last night - that's correct, he didn't shoot any.

DeadSpin puts it well (along with the usual fantastic title):

It's a measure of how this odd NBA world works, however, that if Donyell Marshall hits that wide open 3-pointer in the final seconds, we're all praising LeBron's genius at making his teammates win the game for him. Because Marshall missed, there are those who criticize him for not taking the last shot himself. Such is life as a superstar; if you want us to drink your shitty sports drink, you must make your peace with it.

Now I'm looking around online, and I'm not the only one defending this choice.