Media

LeBron James ‘Shocked’ by How David Griffin Described Him in Sports Illustrated

Published by
Robert Marvi

Although winning the 2016 NBA championship was one of the most joyous events in Cleveland history, former Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin recently admitted to Sports Illustrated that it wasn’t exactly a joyous journey for him.

Among the comments he made, Griffin said that LeBron James hasn’t been as committed to his craft since leading the Cavaliers to the top of the NBA in 2016.

“There wasn’t a lot else for him,” Griffin said. “I don’t think he’s the same animal anymore about winning.”

On Thursday, James posted a tweet that may have indirectly referred to that comment from Griffin.

Sources who know James personally told ESPN that they were “shocked” by how Griffin talked negatively about the three-time world champion in the Sports Illustrated article:

“Sources close to James told ESPN on Thursday they were ‘shocked’ at Griffin’s characterization of the superstar. James seemingly addressed the Griffin story via a tweet on Thursday without mentioning him by name.”

In that piece, Griffin also opened up about the tension he felt as he built the Cavaliers into champions after James’ return to the team in 2014.

“Everything we did was so inorganic and unsustainable and, frankly, not fun. I was miserable,” Griffin said. “Literally the moment we won the championship I knew I was gonna leave. There was no way I was gonna stay for any amount of money.”

Robert Marvi

Robert is a native of Santa Monica, Calif., and a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has been an avid NBA fan since he was a little kid in the mid '90s and fell in love with the Nick Van Exel-led Lakers teams. He truly cherishes the Kobe Bryant-era of Lakers basketball and the five world championships that came with it, and is looking forward to the team's next NBA title.

Published by
Robert Marvi

Recent Posts

LeBron declines to say he’s healthy ahead of Game 1 vs. Timberwolves: ‘I’m available’

In one of the final games of the Los Angeles Lakers' 2024-25 regular season, star…

April 19, 2025

Ex-teammate says Anthony Edwards has waited ‘whole life’ to face LeBron in playoffs: ‘I know the kid personally’

Nearly all of the matchups in the upcoming 2025 NBA Playoffs are set in stone,…

April 18, 2025

Paul Pierce says he thought he and Kobe were ‘gonna go to blows’ after he yelled at him about 2008 Finals: ‘Choke’

Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce got the better of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant…

April 18, 2025

Phil Handy told Austin Reaves to ‘shoot the f——g ball’ as soon as he met him: ‘You wanna make this team?’

During a podcast appearance, former Los Angeles Lakers assistant Phil Handy shared a story about…

April 16, 2025

Dwight Howard says Thunder are ‘afraid’ of Lakers: ‘I see no problems with OKC’

Heading into the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Oklahoma City Thunder might just be the team…

April 15, 2025

Rashad McCants theorizes Bradley Beal would’ve had no problem being asked to ‘play like Kobe Bryant’

In the wake of Mike Budenholzer getting dismissed from his job as the head coach…

April 15, 2025