NBA Insider with Ken Berger

My worst fears about LeBron James’ chances of getting past the Pistons to the NBA Finals came true Monday night.

Given a chance to carry his team to a victory, as superstars are supposed to do, LeBron passed.

Not only did he pass, to a much lesser player named Donyell Marshall, but he passed to him for a much more difficult shot – a corner three-pointer – than the layup and potential three-point play that was staring LeBron in the eyes.

I don’t pretend to know how this series will turn out, but this is exactly what the Pistons – or any team facing Cleveland – wants LeBron to do. With the lane clogged in a new version of the Jordan Rules, James played unselfishly – kicking the ball to the open man to the tune of nine assists and a near-triple double.

The Pistons will take Marshall, Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Eric Snow, Sasha Pavlovic, and even Zydrunas Ilgauskas trying to beat them 100 times out of 100 if it means LeBron is not going to try to beat them.

The book on James, as Scouts Inc.’s David Thorpe explained to me a while back, is to cut off his penetration and make him settle for jump shots (which he did Monday night) or pass to someone who isn’t as good as he is (which he did with 5.9 seconds left and the Cavs trailing, 78-76.)

Detroit won Game 1, 79-76. Game 2 is Thursday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

James scored only 10 points on 5-for-15 shooting. He had 10 rebounds and nine assists, but incredibly did not attempt a single free throw.

Just as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Isiah Thomas had to experience failure before getting their first championship ring, my gut tells me that this is not LeBron’s time. Not yet. On one hand, you have to applaud his unselfish instincts. But at some point, the best player on the floor has to learn to take the game in his hands when it matters.

LeBron is only 22, so it’s understandable that he hasn’t learned this yet. He has a few more games to figure it out, or wait until next year.

On a side note, check out ESPN.com’s Chris Sheridan’s piece on where LeBron is at this stage of his career. Good reading. I’ve played golf with Chris, not basketball, so I don’t even know if he can make a layup. But something tells me that he wouldn’t have passed to Donyell Marshall in that situation if it was him.