Photo Credit: Steve Mitchell/USA TODAY Sports
LeBron James On How He Handles Trash-Talking Opponents
After Jimmy Butler drained his dagger with just a little bit more than a minute left in Game 3 of the 2020 NBA Finals, he turned to LeBron James, letting him and the Lakers know “you’re in trouble”.
Jimmy Butler straight up told LeBron "You're in trouble" pic.twitter.com/daBI9bV5OI
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When asked about this ‘trash-talk’ in his post-game press conference, Butler revealed that he was just returning the favor, after LeBron had said the exact same thing to him at the end of the first quarter.
“First of all, I’m not just out there talking trash because I’m not. LeBron said that to me at the end of the first, that’s what happened. I just said it to him in the fourth quarter.
Since LeBron isn’t necessarily one to trash-talk a lot, he was asked about it during yesterday’s media availability. When asked if he was a guy who just responds to trash talk or one to initiate it, James revealed that he’s a player who likes to let his game do the talking, while also admitting to fire back when ‘guys get to talking’.
“No, I’ve always been a guy who kind of let his game do the talking. But when guys get to talking, I can do that, as well. I’ve always tried to let my game do the talking.
Some guys like to talk their way through the basketball game. I think it helps them out personally. There’s always communication going on on the floor. For me personally, as long as it doesn’t get disrespectful, I’m fine with it.
But I’ve never really started up a trash-talking dialogue. That’s just not me. I believe the way I play the game is enough trash talking in itself.”
