James dismisses rumor
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — To LeBron James, the Golden State Warriors are a highly respected rival — nothing more.
Now and forever.
James strongly denounced a report that said he would consider playing for the Warriors if the NBA champions were able to restructure their roster to accommodate the four-time league MVP. On Thursday, ESPN, citing anonymous league sources, reported James would meet with the Warriors this summer if they cleared the salary-cap space to sign him, assuming he will opt out of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers and become a free agent
“It’s nonsense, and it’s a non-story,” James said Friday following the Cavaliers’ practice. “I think it’s a discredit to what I’m trying to do here. It’s a discredit to my teammates and the coaching staff here. My only focus right now is trying to figure out how we can become a championship-caliber team in these next few months. It’s been so many stories about me in the last few months, in the last few days, about where I’m going and where I’m at and what place I’m in.
“I’m here, I’m right here, I’m right now and this is my present and this is where I’m at.”
James said he awoke Thursday to an alert and messages on his phone about the report and “the first thing I did I started laughing, actually.”
The 14-time All-Star said he soon became upset, however, knowing the damage that kind of story can cause. James was most bothered by his teammates having to wonder about his commitment in getting the Cavs back to a fourth straight NBA Finals.
While others can speculate about James’ future intentions and how any move might tarnish his legacy, he made it clear that no one speaks for him.
“If you don’t hear something coming from my voice, then it’s not true,” he said. “I don’t give a damn how close they are, I don’t care if it’s my kids, or my wife or whatever. If it’s not from me, it’s not true. I just want you guys to know that my focus right now is on the Cavs and how we can get back to the Finals for a fourth straight year. That’s my focus. And everything else is going to get talked about, but it’s not a distraction. But like, I think it’s just unfair to my teammates that come here every day. I mean, I can handle it myself. But it’s unfair to those guys.”
James often uses social media platforms to comment on stories or make statements. He didn’t post anything on Twitter and Instagram on Thursday because he felt it was important for him to respond in person.
“You know how real this is right now,” he said. “Like, this is my focus. Nothing else is stopping me from trying to get this team back to the Finals.”
The speculation about where he plans to continue playing after this season is only going to increase.
