Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James casts shade after Game 4 victory

LeBron James casts shade with the Los Angeles Lakers on the verge of 17th championship

On the verge of his fourth NBA Championship, and a record-tying 17th for the Los Angeles Lakers franchise, LeBron James, who is already a three-time Finals MVP, took time out after his team’s Game 4 victory to throw shade in the direction of at least one of his contemporaries.

During the postgame press conference after narrowly defeating the Miami Heat 102-96 to help the Lakers take a 3-1 series lead in the NBA Finals, James held court as he usually does following any game, but on this night the “King” took this opportunity to dole out a couple of unwarranted jabs and put his pettiness on full display for all to see.

James was asked about the ability and versatility of Anthony Davis on the defensive end during the postgame interview on ABC and wasted no time in taking his first shot.

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"“Yeah that’s why he’s the defensive player of the year.” James said before pausing to let his statement sink in. “We said that all year, because his ability to play one through five, guard anybody out on the floor, take the challenge not only guard on the perimeter but continue to protect the paint, um, guards drive on him it’s hard to score on him…“I mean did you see how high Herro threw that ball up? I mean it went in but he had to throw that thing up to the skyscrapers right?”"

James continued to heap praise upon his big man, who James obviously thought should have been the league’s defensive player of the year. Davis himself was in the camp that thought LeBron should have won his fifth league MVP award this season. Both players lost those awards to Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Those comments weren’t the only shots fired by James during the postgame.

James was asked about Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s contribution in Game 4, and how big that was for the team, especially late in the game.

"“I think at the end of the day, if you’re on the floor in crunch time then I believe in you, who’s ever out on the floor with me, I believe can make plays and tonight was a case in point of K.C.P. a guy who stays ready, who works on his craft and like you said, you know that three in front of they bench was a huge 3…“And obviously, the drive at the end of the shot clock, was two big back to back plays in the fourth quarter where we needed to continue to score verse this team.”"

So, let’s get this straight, if you’re one of LeBron James’ teammates and you don’t make the crunch time lineup in the fourth quarter of a tight game, then obviously he doesn’t believe in you, right? He probably could have worded that differently, but he chose not to.

The Lakers now hold a 3-1 series lead over the Heat and most people see this ending in five games. Those comments from LeBron about his team could all just be to do about nothing.

But the obvious shade thrown at Giannis Antetokounmpo is crystal clear evidence that James not winning the regular-season MVP award this season still bugs him, just a little. Maybe even a lot.

And just to set things straight, Giannis was, is, and more than deserved to win regular-season MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2020. It’s a regular-season award, and what happens in the playoffs has no bearing on either of those awards.

So, get over it LeBron backers. He did not win it, because he did not deserve to win it.

But he more likely than not will win his fourth Finals MVP award, along with his fourth ring if all goes as planned, and with a 3-1 lead James and his Lakers are in the driver’s seat and look about ready to cross the finish line.