LeBron James was heavily criticised for trying to lure Anthony Davis to the Lakers with his statement about how he would love if Davis could come to Los Angeles next season.
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Small market GM’s wanted the NBA to reinforce tampering rules so as to prevent players from releasing such statements.
The NBA acted on it soon enough and released a statement about how LeBron expressing ‘interest’ to play with a certain player cannot be considered as ‘tampering’.
After LeBron James publicly endorses trade for Anthony Davis, small market GM’s privately seething over NBA’s unwillingness to enforce tampering rules. One GM: “It’s open season on small markets and our players.” Story on ESPN: https://t.co/xnqAQas59i
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 21, 2018
“Each case is assessed on its own facts. In general, absent evidence of team coordination or other aggravating factors, it is not tampering when a player makes a comment about his interest in playing with another team’s player.” a NBA spokesperson said as quoted by ESPN.
An NBA spokesman tells ESPN: “Each case is assessed on its own facts. In general, absent evidence of team coordination or other aggravating factors, it is not tampering when a player makes a comment about his interest in playing with another team’s player.” https://t.co/6hEIyW3qBi
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 21, 2018
LeBron James spoke about how his statement made headlines and how he simply expressed interest over playing with a good player. He told the media that he wanted to play with all good players in the league, like KD, Jimmy Butler, Embiid, Giannis etc.
“Ask me about Kyrie Irving. Giannis (Antetokounmpo). Ask me about (Joel) Embiid. Ben Simmons. Go ahead. All of them. Luka Doncic. Ask me right now. Come on guys, it is not rocket science. It is not rocket science.” LeBron said.
“These are great players. Absolutely. I would want to play with a lot of great players, that is just who I am. So? People get caught up in bunches. Sometimes they wish they could control what you say and they can’t control me. At all. And I play by the rules.” he added.
Check out the video:
LeBron James doesn’t regret his comments on Anthony Davis from earlier in the week. Says to ask him about playing with KD, Giannis, Embiid — any number of great players, his answer would be similar. pic.twitter.com/cp07UUKgCd
— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) December 22, 2018
Now, Kyle Kuzma too has come to LeBron James’ rescue, confirming that LeBron did nothing wrong in telling the world that he would be ‘interested’ in playing with Anthony Davis.
In fact, Kuzma said that even Michael Jordan would be interested in playing with Anthony Davis, as he is that good.
“Who wouldn’t want to play with him? I’m sure I would want to play with him too. He’s a top five player in the league. So Michael Jordan would probably want to play with him too.” Kuzma said.
Asked about LeBron’s comments about Anthony Davis this week, Kyle Kuzma said, “Who wouldn’t want to play with him? I’m sure I would want to play with him too. He’s a top five player in the league. So Michael Jordan would probably want to play with him too.”
— Bill Oram (@billoram) December 21, 2018
Do you think LeBron was guilty of trying to lure AD to the Lakers or are the Pelicans making a big deal out of it?
