CLEVELAND - LeBron James may have ruined another friendship back in Ohio.
Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson didn't appreciate some of James' words and actions on Thursday during the Miami star's heated homecoming to Cleveland. James, who scored 38 points in the Heat's 118-90 win, was subjected to almost constant booing, taunts and profanity.
According to Gibson, James dished out a little of his own.
"Some things went on last night," Gibson said, "that I didn't like."
James engaged in some trash talk with Cleveland's bench, jawing at some coaches and former teammates. After making a tough, baseline jumper while scoring 24 points in the third quarter, James spun just in front of Cleveland's players and mouthed something in their direction. Later, he and a smiling Gibson exchanged words.
Gibson also took issue with comments that it appeared the Cavaliers were acting too outwardly friendly toward James, who played seven seasons in Cleveland. Center Anderson Varejao hugged James as the teams lined up for tip-off and a few players shook hands or bumped fists with the two-time defending league MVP.
LeBron's return to Cleveland On his termsWinderman: Cavs fans tried to hate LeBron, but his 38 points only brought back memories of what was and likely never will be again. |
The Cavaliers are now 7-11 without James.
"I think people, from the outside looking in, might say we were laughing and joking with him, but if you could hear the things that were said, you would know that wasn't the case," Gibson said. "There was nothing friendly about the conversation we had."
Gibson said the evening soured his relationship with James, his teammate for four years. Gibson was also upset by the Cavaliers' awful play in front of their rowdy fans, who had waited five months to vent at James for the way he announced his decision to leave.
"I didn't like the way we performed," he said.
PBT: The Pacers were too tough for the Knicks, but Miami is a different animal. The clubs face off in the East finals, starting Wednesday night.
Rotoworld: The Cavaliers won the draft lottery on Tuesday night, and the latest mock gives them the big man with the highest upside.
Slideshow |
LeBron's homecoming LeBron James faces the Cleveland Cavaliers as a member of the Miami Heat for the first time. more photos |
Video: NBA from NBC Sports |
Kerr: LeBron vs. Jordan comes down to rings DPS: Steve Kerr joins Dan Patrick to discuss the Eastern Conference finals and the recent comparison between LeBron James and Michael Jordan. |
Latest from ProBasketballTalk |
Slideshow |
more photos |