When the Golden State Warriors won the offseason by nabbing Kevin Durant in free agency, it almost seemed like it was a response to LeBron James existing and overpowering them in the NBA Finals. You couldn’t blame LeBron if he took it personally, but he hasn’t mentioned it phasing him publicly. Until now LeBron has been business as usual, mentioning that it motivated him (but not much more).
Well, LeBron waited until just before the season is set to kick off before sending what might, maybe, be a zinger at the Warriors.
“I know teams switch and pick up new coaches or new players, and their whole goal is kind of they want to beat me,” James told Cleveland.com for their Cavs season preview. “It’s never just about me, but I always hear them saying we gotta beat LeBron. It’s not just me on the court, but I understand that teams get together in this conference and across the league to try to beat me.”
Via Joe Vardon:
“I think every team is put together for one reason and one reason only, and that’s to try and win a championship,” James said. “That’s what Golden State wants to do. For me, I’m the same way. I don’t like being stagnant, and we’ve got great guys in here, but I want to continue to get better in this league each and every year and have the opportunity to win a championship. That’s what it comes down to.”
LeBron did use the qualifier, “in this conference,” so maybe that’s his way to say it wasn’t about the Warriors. Who knows? Either way LeBron isn’t exactly wrong here. But then again, that applies to every team taking aim at the champions every year. But hey, whatever James needs to get amped up for another epic post season run, because with the new, revamped Warriors he’s going to need another superhuman effort to beat them in June.
Knowing LeBron, and after watching games 5-7 last year, don’t be surprised if he does it
