Image: Jason Miller/Getty Images – New York Times
The war of words between the New York Knicks and LeBron James continued throughout the weekend to Monday morning.
For those who are not familiar with the background of the story, LeBron made comments about Dennis Smith Jr. that seemed to throw shade at Knicks rookie Frank Ntilikina and former President of Basketball Operations Phil Jackson — which wouldn’t be a surprise since LeBron wasn’t too fond of Jackson’s comments that referred to him and his close friends, and associates, as a “posse” last season.
After Enes Kanter came out and defended Ntilikina on Twitter, Kristaps Porzingis came to the defense of Ntilikina after practice on Sunday:
“I mean, I don’t know why he made those comments, but all I can say is we love Frank, we’re happy with him…he’s doing a great job. He’s playing great, and he’s doing what he’s supposed to. And I would not change Frank for anybody. Simple.”
Also, Kanter further discussed his thoughts about what LeBron had to say:
“I don’t care who, I just cannot let anyone disrespect my family like that, because when I play for an organization, I see my teammates and that organization as like a family…And it doesn’t matter if it’s LeBron or whoever it is, I cannot just let him disrespect him like that. The coaches, the GMs, the president, this organization knows what they’re doing. … I mean, come on. That’s a rookie. You cannot just say anything like that about him.”
It’s good to see some of the players come to the defense of Ntilikina, who has contributed to the Knicks turnaround early this season. He didn’t take offense to what the “King” had to say, and he decided to take the high road with his comments:
“I think in life people can think whatever they want…however, it’s not gonna affect us and me, so whatever is said, whatever people think, me and the team are just focused on what we’re doing every day to improve and just to make us better.”
Hearing the huge fuss his comments made in the media, especially among Knicks players, LeBron talked to reporters on Monday to clarify his comments, and to make sure the media realizes that his comments were intended to take a shot at Jackson and not Ntilikina. Also, LeBron seemed to take a shot at Kanter by telling him politely to shut up. Here are some of LeBron’s comments as reported by ESPN’s Ian Begley:
LeBron James: “I wasn’t even thinking about (Frank Ntilikina) when I was talking about Dennis Smith. I was thinking about just the Knicks organization & Phil Jackson at the time & Dennis Smith’s talent & (his fit with Kristaps) Porzingis & that’s all I was thinking about.”
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) November 13, 2017
LeBron James: “I wasn’t throwing shade at Frank at all for people that got their pants in a bunch.” He added that he was clarifying for “people who just live in the box and for Enes Kanter who’s always got something to say. He says, I don’t know what’s wrong with him.”
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) November 13, 2017
LeBron James said his Dennis Smith/Knicks comments were a shot at Phil Jackson, not Frank Ntilikina. He thought Smith would be a great fit with Kristaps Porzingis. More here: https://t.co/qXDIdNrZS0
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) November 13, 2017
It seems like LeBron may have had the intention of stirring the pot between him and the Knicks before the game tonight at the Garden. The Knicks have won seven of their last nine games, and LeBron may be trying to find a way to knock the Knicks off of their game — especially since the Knicks put a beating on the Cavaliers, in Cleveland, 114-95 earlier this season.
There may be a bit more bad blood than usual when both teams step on the Garden floor tonight.
Source: ESPN
