Unfair Criticism

The NBA All-Star game is an exhibition game at this point, and it will be until the players have some reason to play hard.  With this being said, LeBron James is now being criticized for the last play of the All-Star game where he turned the ball over instead of taking a shot.  LeBron is the only reason the Eastern Conference was even in this game.  He single handedly flipped a switch and brought the East back within striking distance at the end.  He set a record for three point field goals made in an All-Star Game, and all anyone can talk about is how he didn’t take the last shot.  Can this man do anything without criticism?  People criticize the way he wears his headband for goodness sake.  Criticizing LeBron for not taking the last shot is not fair.  During the season, week in and week out, we hear the media criticize LeBron for taking the last shot and missing it.  We hear how the Miami Heat are Dwayne Wade’s team, and he should be the one with the ball in his hands in late game situations.  Now, LeBron is criticized for not taking the last shot, and it doesn’t make any sense.  If he was being criticized for turning the ball over and making a bad decision, then I would have no problem with what is happening.  However, this isn’t the situation.  It was an All-Star game after all.  The game is played for nothing except fan enjoyment, and LeBron definitely gave the fans a performance to enjoy.