Former Suns Player Regrets Trash Talking LeBron James Who Exploded For 35 Points: "Almost Lost My Job That Day"
In a nostalgic recounting of a regular-season matchup, former Phoenix Suns player Dionte Christmas expressed regret over trash-talking LeBron James during his Miami Heat days, revealing that it almost cost him his job. The story, initially told by former teammate Archie Goodwin unfolded during a game where LeBron, alongside Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, faced the Suns.
"One of my teammates — I ain’t gon’ say his name... So, LeBron catches the ball, and he’s sizing up P.J. Tucker. And one of my teammates yell out, ‘Yo, we livin with that s—. Shoot that broke a** sh*8. We living with it.’"
"So, LeBron passed the ball. He looked back at him. He said, ‘What you say?’ One of our coaches at the time, he looked at my teammate like, ‘Yo, shut the fu** up. Leave him alone.’"
"It was third quarter, so he had been chilling. We was only down four or five. He only had six points. No bullsh**, he only had six points. He ended the game with 38. He ended the game with 38. … He went nuts, and we end up losing by 20.”
After the story went viral, Dionte Christmas confirmed he was the teammate as he tweeted:
"That teammate was me, almost lost my job that day."
As the tale goes, LeBron caught the ball on the wing, sizing up P.J. Tucker, when a Suns teammate yelled out, encouraging LeBron to take the shot. Unbeknownst to them, this ignited a fire in LeBron, prompting an explosive performance. Goodwin's recollection indicates that the game occurred on Nov. 25, 2013, with the Heat ultimately securing a 107-92 victory.
Contrary to initial details, LeBron had 35 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists while showcasing his dominance on the court with an impressive 11-of-14 shooting, including a perfect 11-of-11 from the free-throw line.
The regret in Christmas's tweet echoes the sentiment of many players who learned the hard way not to awaken the "bear" that is LeBron James. This incident serves as a cautionary tale in the NBA, illustrating the consequences of underestimating the power of a motivated King James.
Dillion Brooks Learned The Hard Way On What Happens When You Mock LeBron James
Dillon Brooks learned a valuable lesson in the 2023 NBA Playoffs: if you come at the King, you best not miss. The Rockets forward, then with the Grizzlies, ignited a memorable beef with LeBron James, a saga that unfolded over several seasons and playoff games.
The feud had its roots in January 2021 when LeBron, known for his clutch performances, buried shots over Brooks, punctuating the moment with a "too small" taunt. The competitive edge between them simmered until January 2023 when, after an incident with Shannon Sharpe, Brooks directed his energy toward LeBron, criticizing his playing style and physicality.
As fate would have it, the Lakers, a Play-In Tournament team, faced the Grizzlies in the 2023 postseason. Brooks had publicly expressed his desire to play LeBron in a seven-game series, eager to test the Lakers' mettle. The wish was granted, and the matchup intensified.
Trash talk reached its peak when Brooks, after a clutch performance, called LeBron "old" and dismissed his current level of play compared to his championship-winning days. LeBron responded with a dismissive attitude, emphasizing his readiness to play. The tension escalated in Game 3 when Brooks was ejected for a Flagrant 2 foul on LeBron, a move that likely resulted from the continuous on-court banter.
Despite the ejection, Brooks remained defiant, attributing his dismissal to being painted as a villain by the media and fans. The animosity climaxed in Game 4 when LeBron sealed the victory with a game-sealing and-one over Brooks. The intense matchup concluded with the Lakers winning the series in six games.
LeBron, known for taking the high road, addressed the beef subliminally through an Instagram post, emphasizing that if he were fighting a bear in the forest, people should help the bear. The message encapsulated his dominant performance against Brooks.
The LeBron James vs. Dillon Brooks feud serves as a cautionary tale in the NBA—a reminder that underestimating the King's prowess can lead to on-court humiliation. Brooks learned the hard way that challenging a future Hall of Famer comes with consequences, both in the game and in the enduring narrative of their rivalry. As the two prepare for future matchups, basketball fans can expect sparks to fly, ensuring the saga remains a captivating subplot in the ever-dramatic world of the NBA.
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