Was LeBron's mid-range game his greatest weakness?

[Im Still Ballin]

It's not a coincidence that his incredibly streaky mid-range shot was falling during his arguably two best playoff runs (2009, 2018). That in-between game was always questionable and was what limited his shot creation & shot making against certain high-level defenses and specific individual matchups, schemes, and coverages.

Career Regular Season: 38.17% on 10+ feet 2PT FGAs (27.7% of FGAs)
Career Playoffs: 37.28% on 10+ feet 2PT FGAs (26.5% of FGAs)

2008-09 Playoffs: 47.77% on 10+ feet 2PT FGAs (29.5% of FGAs)
2017-18 Playoffs: 45.01% on 10+ feet 2PT FGAs (27.5% of FGAs); 48.3% on 5.8 pull-up 2pa/g

[warriorfan]

Yes. It’s why LeBron has always floundered against elite rim protection. His drive has of always course had been elite and his bread and butter but his outside shooting has always been inconsistent. Especially his midrange. Most of the time he’s kind of a crash and pass kick out or just take it to the rack or launch a 3. His offense has always needed more diversity, He can sleepwalk to 30 points especially if he’s feasting in transition, but in the playoffs a lot of that dries up and he can put up similar volume but his efficiency takes a huge hit.

Bron with a midrange would be the hands down goat. Jordan would not be a thing anymore.

[Full Court]

His greatest weakness was his lack of mental fortitude. He was a chronic choker.

[ralph_i_el]

Game 6 2012 ECF was the tipping point, where I would no longer call it a weakness.

[Wally450]

His free throws were never consistent. Idk if it was his greatest weakness though.

[ShawkFactory]

I would honestly say the FT shooting is the biggest weakness. The midrange game was definitely inconsistent but he could lock into at times and dominate. Happened plenty of times.

The FT shooting was different because I believe it genuinely affected how he played at the end of games. He stopped playing like himself because being fouled would highlight a weakness at the biggest moments.

[ImKobe]

Yes, it's always been a weakness in his game. Even early on when he could make jump shots it was long 2s or 3s which he'd hit at an average rate, but 10-16 ft he could never be consistent on thus he's a career 37/36% from 10-16 ft in the RS/Playoffs.

[FultzNationRISE]

Bro, he got hacked on every shot and they never ****ing called it.


IT WASNT HIS FAULT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SouBeachTalents]

I would honestly say the FT shooting is the biggest weakness. The midrange game was definitely inconsistent but he could lock into at times and dominate. Happened plenty of times.

The FT shooting was different because I believe it genuinely affected how he played at the end of games. He stopped playing like himself because being fouled would highlight a weakness at the biggest moments.

That would definitely explain his straight up refusal at times to take the last shot, even when it came to the detriment of the team.

[StrongLurk]

Perimeter shooting and free throws.

He's never been on the level of a MJ, Kobe, Bird, Curry, or KD. He'd be the GOAT for sure if he was.

Even Magic, who isn't known as a perimeter scorer, at least become elite at free throws.

Lebron never become an elite shooter and honestly I don't know why. A guy like Kawhi managed to become elite shooting the ball when he wasn't know for it in college. Lebron played more than anyone and clearly practiced a lot...strange that he never consistently figured it out.

The lack of free throw improvement is clearly a mental issue with Lebron. It always is with NBA players who can't hit at least 80%.

It's basically why I won't put him above MJ. Being an elite perimeter shooter/scorer as a perimeter player is probably the most important thing there is.

[ralph_i_el]

Perimeter shooting and free throws.

He's never been on the level of a MJ, Kobe, Bird, Curry, or KD. He'd be the GOAT for sure if he was.

Even Magic, who isn't known as a perimeter scorer, at least become elite at free throws.

Lebron never become an elite shooter and honestly I don't know why. A guy like Kawhi managed to become elite shooting the ball when he wasn't know for it in college. Lebron played more than anyone and clearly practiced a lot...strange that he never consistently figured it out.

The lack of free throw improvement is clearly a mental issue with Lebron. It always is with NBA players who can't hit at least 80%.

It's basically why I won't put him above MJ. Being an elite perimeter shooter/scorer as a perimeter player is probably the most important thing there is.

Wide shoulders and lots of upper body muscle can make it more difficult to get a consistent shot. LeBron doesn't get his elbow in tight.

[Full Court]

I would honestly say the FT shooting is the biggest weakness. The midrange game was definitely inconsistent but he could lock into at times and dominate. Happened plenty of times.

The FT shooting was different because I believe it genuinely affected how he played at the end of games. He stopped playing like himself because being fouled would highlight a weakness at the biggest moments.

It was a byproduct of his mental weakness. He couldn't handle pressure.

[tpols]

He iced Boston in the 2012 ECFs in the midrange.

[sdot_thadon]

It was a byproduct of his mental weakness. He couldn't handle pressure.

But he somehow could have the most playoff game winners in nba history. Be the undisputed greatest elimination game player ever. Led the biggest comeback in the history of the sport. Game winner on the world stage of the olympics. Time to update your software bud.

[Full Court]

But he somehow could have the most playoff game winners in nba history. Be the undisputed greatest elimination game player ever. Led the biggest comeback in the history of the sport. Game winner on the world stage of the olympics. Time to update your software bud.

Most "game winners" if you manipulate the stats and skew the definition of a game winner. Nice try.

Most choke jobs in the entire history of the sport.

45 documented choke jobs JUST in the post season, including the most epic choke of all time. But yeah, let's not call that mental weakness.