LeBron James calls out reporter for ill-timed question
Apr 4, 2023; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts to being called for a foul against the Utah Jazz in the last minute of the fourth quarter at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was in no mood Friday to humor a reporter looking for a sound bite.
James and the Lakers lost 127-113 to the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif.
James wasn’t feeling very friendly following the Lakers’ fourth-straight defeat. It showed when the 4-time MVP was asked by a reporter to share his thoughts on the career of Ricky Rubio, who announced his retirement the day prior.
LeBron was not in the mood to be asked about Ricky Rubio after Lakers loss 😬
He still answered the question and showed Rubio love 🤝
(via @SpectrumSN) pic.twitter.com/gFRvUVJrq0
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 6, 2024
“I’m not really in the mood to answer that question but I respect Ricky. Congratulations on a hell of a career. If I don’t seem sincere when you see this video, it’s because we got our a– whooped again, and I apologize,” said James (profanity edited by LBS).
“It was actually bad timing on the interviewer asking me this question. It’s not me, Ricky.”
It’s no surprise that James was upset. The Lakers and Grizzlies were tied at 94 Friday entering the fourth quarter. But the Lakers collapsed late and lost by double figures for the third straight contest.
James had 32 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 steals in the losing effort against the Grizzlies.
