Stan Van Gundy wasted no time trying to work the officials during Game 1 of the Detroit Pistons’ playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. In short, Van Gundy wants to see more fouls called on LeBron James. As you might expect, LeBron isn’t worried about it.
After practice on Tuesday, James shared his thoughts with reporters.
“Stan has gotten the better of me in a playoff series before in his Orlando days,” LeBron said, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com. “But it’s not about me versus Stan. It’s about his teams versus the teams that I’ve been on and I’m not having an individual matchup with Stan or an individual matchup with Stanley (Johnson) or any other Stan they can possess. It’s about getting my guys ready. That’s all that matters.”
Van Gundy was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Monday for telling ESPN’s Lisa Salters that officials allow LeBron to “do what he wants.” You can watch the video here.
LeBron added that he would never change the way he plays no matter what an opposing coach or player says. He also said he has no interest in getting into any personal feuds.
“I’m trying to help this team advance and get another home win so we can protect home, so I don’t get (caught up in that),” he said. “Listen, I’m 31-years old, man. I don’t get caught up in no shenanigans.”
Plus, James doesn’t even think he got many calls in Game 1.
“I mean, I got four free throw attempts and I live in the paint,” he said. “I think I’m top five in the league in points in the paint and shots at the rim. My first two free throws were, ‘Get your ass thrown on the ground, here (you) go, two free throws.’ So, let’s not get this out of control. I don’t live at the free throw line.”
LeBron is always going to get calls that other players don’t. That’s just the way the NBA works. When you’re one of the best players in the game, officials give you the benefit of the doubt. The same is true of any professional sports league.
