Los Angeles Lakers star LBron James found himself in headlines again recently, this time for some shocking comments made by his former general manager, David Griffin.
It’s starting to seem like Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James can’t live these days. If the world doesn’t believe that LeBron James hasn’t taken over as the most polarizing sports figure on the planet, I’ll be more than happy to convince you over the next several pages.
How polarizing is he? One of his best friends, Carmelo Anthony, was on ESPN’s First Take Friday talking about the scenario of joining LeBron and Dwyane Wade in Miami. Even though Melo is trying to get back in the NBA, LeBron James is still part of the discussion.
First, Jason Whitlock talks about LeBron’s antics at his son’s AAU game comparing his obsession with fame to cocaine (trust me sports fans, he did.) while telling him what he needs to do.
Now David Griffin drops a bombshell and talks about misery with LeBron James among other things?
The amazing thing about stories like these is the insight that nobody knows about at the time. There was no one that even thought that while LeBron James was busy saving the Cavaliers 2016 NBA Finals championship with one of the most iconic plays in history.
David Griffin was planning his exit out the door. David Griffin had a sit-down interview with Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated to talk about a variety of topics from his continued fights with cancer, to struggles with child conception, to what he is building down in New Orleans.
It was a very thorough interview. But it’s going to be his quotes about his three years in Cleveland with LeBron James that will dominate sports headlines for the rest of the week.
"“Everything we did was so inorganic and unsustainable and, frankly, not fun. I was miserable,” Griffin says. “Literally the moment we won the championship I knew I was gonna leave. There was no way I was gonna stay for any amount of money.”"
Well, that decision was probably made for Griffin anyway (Explanation on that later!) based on Dan Gilbert’s hiring and firing practices. But it was David Griffin’s questioning the motivation of LeBron James that will play out throughout the season.
NBA fans may want to get their sick days ready because the Los Angeles Lakers scheduled games against the New Orleans Pelicans will be just as hot as the Clippers games.
"“There wasn’t a lot else for him,” Griffin says. “I don’t think he’s the same animal anymore about winning.”"
If that is the case, that doesn’t really vibe with the Lakers plans next season, especially after they had to move Heaven and Earth (Twice!) to chase Anthony Davis. It makes things worse when the entire future of the franchise was mortgaged to a guy that made the statement to make the trade.
The SI article started reports mentioning rumors floating around the NBA that James only cares about playing long enough to play with his son Bronny and owning an NBA team. Based on my experiences with Lakers fans, that is not on their wishlist.
Then when ESPN reported about David Griffin being miserable trying to construct a winning team around his star, he was quoted in a statement that we have heard time and time again.
"“The reason is LeBron is getting all the credit and none of the blame. And that’s not fun for people,” Griffin says. “They don’t like being part of that world.”"
Kevin Love on line one! Chris Bosh on line two! I know what everybody is thinking.