LeBron James’ presence at last night’s Cavaliers-Celtics playoff game in Cleveland added some stress for ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
Windhorst, who has covered James since his high school days in Ohio, shared on “Get Up” Tuesday morning that his phone was blowing up with texts from around the NBA.
“My phone started getting messages from people in the NBA, multiple general managers, sending my own meme back to me, saying, ‘What is going on in Cleveland?’” Windhorst said. “They’re like, ‘What is he doing?’”
Windhorst explained that James and his wife Savannah were back in Ohio for Mother’s Day. James’ agent Rich Paul, who was also at the game, represents multiple Cavaliers players, and the Lakers were aware that their franchise player would be in the building.
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The situation reminded Windhorst of 10 years ago when James, then with the Miami Heat, flew from Chicago to Cleveland to attend former teammate Zydrunas Ilgauskas’ jersey retirement ceremony. James later rejoined the Cavaliers that summer.
“This maneuver is just to put a little bit of doubt — I think it’s mostly a message to the Lakers, reminding them, ‘By the way, just so you know, I’m still out here,’” Windhorst said.
Last month, Windhorst suggested that James might opt out of his contract this summer and become a free agent. This appearance in Cleveland could be part of a strategy to put more pressure on the Lakers heading into the offseason.
