Media

Iman Shumpert has crystal clear message for haters who think he bad-mouthed LeBron James during controversial interview

Published by
Peter Dewey

Former NBA guard Iman Shumpert made some comments regarding Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James that have been deemed controversial.

In an interview on the Bootleg Kev podcast, Shumpert said it was James, not Kevin Durant, who “ruined” the NBA by joining the Miami Heat.

“It wasn’t K.D.,” Shumpert said. “It was Bron first going to Miami. Bron knows he ruined basketball. He thought he was making it better. Me personally, I loved the NBA for the loyalty that I thought was there. He basically knocked the fourth wall down.

“Great business move for sure. But when you think about it outside looking in, I got people tweeting me right now, they’re literally talking about owners and trade.”

While Shumpert’s comments may seem like a dig at James, the former Cleveland Cavaliers guard clarified that it was meant as a compliment on social media.

Shumpert and James played together on the Cavaliers and won an NBA title together during the 2015-16 season.

The Lakers superstar certainly changed the game of basketball by moving to different teams and pairing with other superstars, but Shumpert clearly didn’t mean any harm by commenting on those decisions.

Both James and Durant have formed superteams in their careers, but James has won titles with three different franchises in his storied NBA career.

The four-time champion is looking to win his fifth title and second with the Lakers during the 2021-22 season.

Peter Dewey

Peter is a graduate of Quinnipiac University where he covered the MAAC and college basketball for three years. He has worked for NBC Sports, the Connecticut Sun and the Meriden Record-Journal covering basketball and other major sports. Follow him on Twitter @peterdewey2.

Published by
Peter Dewey

Recent Posts

LeBron James goes full UNC as he chastises OKC Thunder kid behind Lakers bench

The Los Angeles Lakers are hoping they haven't met their match in the second round…

May 8, 2026

Ric Flair continues to take shots at Luka Doncic while praising LeBron James

Ric Flair praised Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James on social media on Thursday while…

May 7, 2026

Emmanuel Acho eviscerates Austin Reaves after Game 1: ‘In the playoffs, [he] goes ghost’

Emmanuel Acho did not hold back when discussing Austin Reaves’ performance in Game 1 of…

May 6, 2026

Rich Paul: NBA players tell kids not to sign with Klutch because they hate LeBron

Prominent sports agent and founder of Klutch Sports Group Rich Paul has close ties to…

May 5, 2026

JJ Redick gives Lakers brutal reality check vs. Thunder: ‘They don’t foul’

The Los Angeles Lakers took care of business in the first round of the playoffs…

May 4, 2026

Shaq criticizes Lakers for playing ‘hero ball’ in Game 5 loss: ‘I’m super disappointed’

Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal was critical of the team following L.A.’s Game 5…

April 30, 2026