MANILA, Philippines — Things couldn’t get more bizarre for Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James when he took the podium for the NBA Finals Game One post-game presser on Friday.
The usual routine between the cager and the media was cut short when ESPN’s Mark Schwarz, a veteran with the network, prodded James about his understanding of teammate JR Smith’s “state of mind” during the closing moments at the end of regulation.
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LeBron walks off the podium after an exchange with a reporter about JR Smith, tells him to “be better tomorrow” pic.twitter.com/Fq8wezSuFT
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 1, 2018
“What do you mean, what’s my version?” James clarified with Schwarz.
Clearly, James’ mood was aggravated by the reporter’s the line of questioning. For his part, the cager simply walked out of the briefing after gently telling Schwarz to “be better tomorrow.”
James finished the game with a nerve-wracking performance adorned with 51 points, eight boards, and eight assists. But all that was for naught as the Cavaliers, who had a chance to score after Smith’s rebound, let the win slip from their hands.
James and the Cavaliers will try to steal one on the road anew when the series resumes on Monday.