LeBron James may have gone back into LePassiveAggressive mode at All-Star Weekend this year.
The Los Angeles Lakers star had his All-Star media availability on Saturday and was asked about Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Josh Giddey, who is having a breakout first season in the NBA.
“The MVP over there is [Thunder GM] Sam Presti,” said James, per Ben Golliver of Sports Illustrated. “He the MVP. Josh Giddey is great. Sam Presti, I don’t understand this guy’s eye for talent. He drafted KD [Kevin Durant], Russ[ell Westbrook], Jeff Green, Serge Ibaka, Reggie Jackson, Josh Giddey, and the list goes on and on and on. This guy is pretty damn good.”
Of course, there was one highly notable omission from James’ list of the talented players drafted by Presti — Philadelphia 76ers guard and former MVP James Harden. Many saw it as an intentional omission, as James is known for his excellent memory and for not doing anything by accident.
LeBron really didn't mention James Harden lol. Bro said pic.twitter.com/YZAfBowTNj
— Anthony Duckett (@a_duckett) February 19, 2022
LeBron naming Jeff Green/Reggie Jackson and not Harden
Me: pic.twitter.com/awBS9QCjPq
— Andrew Schlecht (@AndrewKSchlecht) February 19, 2022
LeBron is known for having a great memory so I don’t think it’s an accident Harden was casually left out. https://t.co/QJlHizKCsk
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) February 19, 2022
Durant, Westbrook, and Harden were the Big 3 in Oklahoma City. When he was with the Miami Heat, James even faced them in the NBA Finals in 2012. Mentioning Durant and Westbrook but not Harden is like mentioning Tim Duncan and Tony Parker in San Antonio but omitting Manu Ginobili. That is not even to say anything of mentioning guys like Jeff Green and Reggie Jackson over Harden.
Harden is not a very popular guy right now because of the manner in which he supposedly forced his way out of Brooklyn. He had some reported issues with Durant, whom James is close with, as well as with Kyrie Irving, whom James at least used to be close with. James is also known for taking subtle shots at others (we saw one earlier this week too), so it is not implausible that he may have been throwing some shade here at Harden.
Photo: Dec 9, 2021; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) warms-up prior to the game against the Memphis Grizzles at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
