LeBron James refuses to score for Cleveland Cavaliers in order to teach teammates a lesson

LEBRON James says he purposely held back to prove a point to teammates, as he posted his lowest points tally in an NBA game in six years.

PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 04: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers walks out onto the court during the fourth quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on November 4, 2014 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice. Steve Dykes/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

LEBRON James took the highly unusual step of intentionally withholding on offense to prove a point to underperforming teammates during the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 101-82 defeat to Portland on Wednesday.

James posted just eleven points for the game — his lowest tally since December 5, 2008. He looked disinterested in offense and his usual hunger to score points was not evident as he constantly stayed around the perimeter looking for the pass instead of the shot.

James’ comments after the game suggested his performance was not down to a lack of form, but a desire to see teammates take more personal accountability after several seasons of indifferent performances.

“There’s been a lot of losing basketball around here for a few years,” James said.

“A lot of guys who are going to help us ultimately win haven’t played a lot of meaningful games in our league. When we get to that point where every possession matters, no possessions off … we have to share the ball, we have to move the ball, we’ve got to be a team and be unselfish and we’ll be a better team.”

LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers loses the ball as he drives to the basket during the second quarter of the game at Moda Center.

James’ offensive “go slow” polarised opinion across the US, with some pundits praising him for attempting to lift his team and others perturbed at his apparent willingness to concede a regular season game to the Trail Blazers.

James, however, was defiant. He has effectively challenged the likes of Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters to lift their games while reminding the entire Cavs’ squad that there is absolutely no room for complacency on both sides of the ball.

James is hopeful early season pain will yield post-season gain.

“My mission is not a one-game thing,” James said. “We have to do multiple things in order to win. We got to share the ball. We got to play defence. We got to sacrifice in order to ultimately win. And obviously when you’re going through the process, it’s not the best part of the process, but I’m looking at the end of the tunnel.”

Coming from a Miami side built on team work — which he was centre of — James is acutely aware that the Heat’s two titles were built not only around their offensive potency, but also their defensive tenacity.

LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers yells out to his teammates during the fourth quarter of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

James is trying to instil that same mindset into his new teammates.

“It’s going to be a process,” he said. “I keep on harping on that word, but it’s the truth. I’ve been there before and understand it. But you do have to go through it even though you don’t like to go through it.

James is unquestionably taking a risk by withholding on offense and it remains to be seen whether the likes of Irving and Waiters will respond positively or negatively to the challenge put to them.

But, make no mistake, their hands have been forced. And James suggested the Portland game might not be the end of the tactic.

“It could go on for a couple months,” he said. “Until we’re all on the same page.”

Meanwhile, Cleveland guard Matthew Dellavedova left the game against the Trail Blazers with a knee injury in the final quarter.

The Australian missed the game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday and his status beyond that game is yet to be confirmed.

Originally published as LeBron James refuses to score for Cleveland Cavaliers in order to teach teammates a lesson