From private flights to free sneakers to the multi-million dollar salaries, there are a myriad number of perks associated with being an NBA player. There are also some drawbacks, however, like having to deal with tough questions immediately after a disheartening loss.
Players usually handle the postgame interview session with grace and patience, since it is after all, part of their job. But sometimes, when a reporter asks a well-intentioned but poory phrased question, players let their frustrations get the best of them and snap back. That seemed to be the case with LeBron James after Cleveland’s 132-113 Game 2 loss on Sunday.
Despite recording a triple-double and doing literally everything he could to will his team to victory, the Cavs lost to the Warriors yet again in the Finals and are now facing a daunting 0-2 hole. James was asked about Cleveland’s 0-2 deficit and if the Cavs needed to now defend home court to get back in the series. The answer is obviously yes but the Cavs All-Star thought about the question for a second and then offered up his own witty retort of a question as an answer.
"They're a different team. You guys asked what was the difference and I told you…"
LeBron James reacts to Game 2 loss. #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/1ECBoYz0Vm
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 5, 2017
Reporter: “LeBron, do you feel like this is a case where you need to defend home court at this point?”
James: “Are you a smart guy?”
Reporter: “I think so.”
James: “Think so, right? So if we don’t defend home court, what happens?”
After some hemming and hawing, the reporter then rightfully responded that the Cavs would get swept. James then had a wry smile on his face and said, “So, there’s the answer to your question.”
Now James may have been frustrated by Cleveland’s loss and answered the question like that due to his frustrations. But the question was rather pointless and James answered it really the only way you can, with some brutal honesty and a smirk. For those wondering why James wasn’t at his normal place on the post-game podium, the Cavaliers’ star decided to hold his post-game press availability from the locker room out of frustration with how long the delays have been getting him to the podium.
He's had to wait to talk at podium a few times recently and he's decided he's done with it for now.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) June 5, 2017
James said he just needed some food and wine and he’d be feeling alright, so he wasn’t trying to have any extra delays in getting to post-game dinner, and who can blame him for that.