Criticizing LeBron James for his performance in the clutch is a consistency throughout his career. James has always been a player that wants to make the right play no matter the situation and that has led to criticism against him. Fans and critics want a "killer instinct" type player that will always take the big shots in big situations.

Those criticisms against James popped up after the Cavaliers' stunning Game 3 loss to the Warriors when, in a close game situation, James kicked out on the drive to a wide open Kyle Korver. He missed the shot and James decision to not force the ball at the rim came into question.  

He was asked about his decision to pass up attacking the rim in favor of the kick out, during media availability Thursday.

"I don't even really care. I had a 101 drives last night. I didn't have 101, but you get the gist of it. I'm sorry I didn't go for 102. But at the end of the day I don't really -- what is a critic? It doesn't matter. One of my favorite quotes, when I really stopped caring about what people say, is Theodore Roosevelt, 'The Man in the Arena.' So if you read that, you'll see where I'm at right now in my life. It doesn't matter to me." 

When asked if he could have that play over, here is how James responded:

"If I could have the play over again, I would come off a three screen situation. Draymond would switch on me with five fouls. I would get him leaning. I would drive left. I would see K.D. step up. I would see Stephen Curry drop on Kevin. And I would see Kyle Korver in the corner, one of the greatest three-point shooters in this league's history, and give him an opportunity in the short corner. I would do the same exact thing."   

James has always said the criticism doesn't concern him and honestly there's no reason it should. He's a three-time champion that's been to the NBA Finals every year since 2011. He's won multiple MVP awards, carried teams to and through the playoffs, while being the only player in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 deficit during the Finals. To him, criticism of how he plays is easy to shrug off, because what is there to truly criticize?