DANKOCHIK’S DRAFTINGS: Lebron ends his streak in the most Lebron way possible

I used to be a certified Lebron James hater. I thought his move to the Miami Heat in 2010 was as weak as a move you could make as a basketball player, and revelled when that team didn’t meet expectations.

But over the years, I’ve been completely won over. Watching him lead those awful Cleveland teams to the finals, despite less than stellar rosters had me in awe.

What Lebron has that the other all-time greats don’t (aside from longevity) is an unselfishness on the basketball court. He doesn’t play hero ball, he makes the right play.

There was no more a fitting way for his historic streak of games with more than 10 points to end than making yet another perfect play.

With the game tied in Toronto, and Lebron’s Lakers holding the ball for the final shot, his streak was all but assured to continue.

He could take that final shot, and if it went in, he’d have made the 10 point mark. If he misses, then the game goes to overtime, and Lebron gets more chances to extend the streak.

Instead, as he drove to the basket with Toronto’s defense converging, Lebron did what he always does when the game is on the line. He made the right play, spraying a pass to a wide open teammate, who made no mistake and the Lakers won the game.

There can be no more of a fitting end to Lebron’s streak than that. Early in his career, Lebron was criticized for not taking bad shots in the clutch and instead passing the ball to better positioned teammates.

But when it came down to it, making the right play was more important.