LeBron James returns from suspension, says hit on Isaiah Stewart ‘certainly accidental’ and 1-match ban unfounded
INDIANAPOLIS – LeBron James took a nap in the city that never sleeps on Monday when the NBA announced that Los Angeles Lakers The star will be suspended for the first time in his 19-year career and must miss Tuesday’s game against New York Knicks.
“Rob [Pelinka] call me. I missed his call,” James told ESPN of the Lakers’ executive vice president of basketball and general manager dialing in with bad news. As soon as I checked my phone and it was a missed call, I said, “I know I’m suspended.’
“I mean, it’s some bull —. But whatever.”
James made up more for the missed time in last Wednesday’s 124-116 extra-time win Indiana Pacers in his first game back since sitting out the Knicks game to stand out Detroit Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart in the face, draw blood.
James scored a season-high 39, including eight of LA’s 12 in extra time, to help the Lakers clear 12 points in the second half and end their five-game run with a 2-3 record. .
While James gave the Indiana crowd a show – even mimicking Sam Cassell’s neighborhood dance after nailing the 3rd round late, and then disrupting an old celebration. his Miami Heat day, “The Silencer,” after knocking out another deep three in OT – it was an off-Broadway performance.
He still craves the opportunity he missed at Madison Square Garden, an opportunity that comes only once a season when he plays at the Western Conference.
“I was devastated,” James told ESPN. “It’s my favorite place in the world to play so I’m looking forward to it. But it is.”
Although the nationally televised Lakers-Knicks game featuring James – perhaps still the most prominent face in the game at the age of 36 – had the Pistons game on the schedule, the league office did nothing. had difficulty putting his thumb on the scale to keep him at bay. There are no personal complaints between James and NBA commissioner Adam Silver. No investigation is delayed that will not result in a penalty until the Knicks game is played.
“No. No,” James told ESPN. “I’ve talked to anyone from the league who called when you had that. When I asked for my side of my story, I gave them my side of the story and then what they did — they have to do.”
James detailed that explanation after the Indiana win.
“There was a hit on the free throw. His elbow was a bit high, it made me – if you look, if you watch the movie – it threw me off balance a bit and his elbow lifted my arm. up and I was basically trying to swim moving, swimming down on his arm,” James said. “And when I swung his arm down, he lost his balance and my left hand grazed his face. And I knew right away. So I knew right away that I had something on my head. So I went over to apologize to him, and obviously, you guys saw what happened after that. But it was definitely by accident.”
James, who said he hasn’t spoken to Stewart since the incident, said his case has only gotten stronger in the days since the Lakers-Pistons game, pointing out how Russell Westbrook bloodstained from the Knicks’ Quentin Grimes on Tuesday and how he got hit in the face by Domantas Sabonis in the game Pacers, then he needs to bandage his eyelids.
“I hate to see that, what escalated after that,” James continued. “I don’t think it’s guaranteed [a suspension]. I think it warrants a launch because of what happened after that. There I am, perhaps, still in the match and the excitement from the fans and what could happen after that, obviously. But the suspension, I don’t think it’s guaranteed. But the federation made that call and here we are today. “
James made the day special, lifting LA back to .500 at 10-10, securing the win without Anthony Davis, who went out with flu-like symptoms.
“That’s why he’s GOAT, man,” Monk Malik, who had 17 points and eight bounces from the bench. “I’ve been following him all my life. He’s like ours [Michael] Jordan in my generation. “
Lakers coach Frank Vogel was also surprised about James’ night.
“What LeBron did tonight was just a show for the ages,” Vogel said. “I know these fans, and how they love their loop here in Indianapolis. And he put in a great performance and he obviously got the ball in the game. .”
The fact that he did it in Indiana, where his team lost 136-94 in his first season with the Lakers when the train veered off course, wasn’t lost at James either.
That season goes sideways. This season has also been in doubt at times. But so much of the way LA turns around its ride, James believes the Lakers have improvement ahead.
“The way it started versus the way it ended,” James told ESPN looking back on the trip. “To get here, it’s always been a tough building for us to play in. It’s always been a tough building for me to play in my whole career, and obviously you know Rick Carlisle’s team will always win. good training.
“So leaving here with a win, it’s been a great ride. Despite everything that’s happened on this trip, it feels good to be back for Thanksgiving. The food will be better. a little bit.”
