LeBron James drained the game-winning shot right in front of the folks in Cleveland, which is the absolutely perfect way to end the 2022 NBA All-Star Game.
One of the greatest things about sports is the storylines and the archetypes that are so often present in games, athletes, and careers. So, when a hero-turned-villain-turned-hero-turned maybe villain returns to the place where his career started and has a highlight moment, it’s definitely something people want to celebrate and discuss.
More or less, that’s what happened when LeBron James sank the 2022 NBA All-Star Games‘ game-winning shot in Cleveland Sunday evening.
James, famously from Ohio and having played for the Cleveland Cavaliers twice (and also having left the Cavaliers twice), was back in Cleveland for the NBA All-Star Game. And he had the best highlight that anyone could have.
He hit the game-winning shot.
NBA All-Star Game: LeBron James hits game-winning shot in Cleveland
His shot was the game-winner because the All-Star Game wraps up whenever one of the teams involved reaches 163 points.
If that seems like a lot, it is, but that’s because there’s no real incentive for the players at the All-Star Game to play defense. Go out on the court, perform at a moderately high level on offense, have a fun time, don’t get hurt, and impress some folks along the way. That’s basically the recipe for a good time at the All-Star game.
The NBA All-Star Game is, essentially, an offensive exhibition that isn’t meant to be taken seriously, but rather it’s something that is designed for players to have fun and show off their skills against their most talented contemporaries.
But just because a ton of points are expected to be scored doesn’t make moments like this any less great.
While James has been a mainstay in the NBA for quite some time now, that doesn’t mean he’ll always be present. There will be a day when the legend retires. It’s worth celebrating stuff like this for as long and as often as James is still playing basketball.