Heat Fans Happy After LeBron James Report
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Brian Windhorst says Cavs fans were shooting spitballs at him after ESPN announced he was going to Miami with LeBron
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst moved to Miami to cover LeBron James after the superstar left the Cleveland Cavaliers franchise. James went on to have tremendous success with the Heat, reaching the NBA Finals in each of his four seasons with the franchise. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft returned to his hometown franchise prior to the 2014-15 season. James also led the Cavs to a title in the 2015-16 season, leading Cleveland back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Golden State Warriors.
“I will say that when LeBron went to Miami and then ESPN announced in a press release I was going to Miami, which, you know, I was happy to go to ESPN,” Windhorst said. “I wasn’t so happy about the press release. And I had to live in Cleveland for another week. It was not an ideal time. Including when I went to a game and people were shooting spitballs at me. But they never chanted at me.”
While Windhorst certainly didn’t have a hand in James teaming up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami to form the Big 3, it seems that fans on the Cavs weren’t too happy about anyone leaving their city to head to Miami during that era.
James went on to have tremendous success with the Heat, reaching the NBA Finals in each of his four seasons with the franchise. He also won his first title of his NBA career (two titles in total) while with the Heat.
After a four-year stint in Miami, James ended up making things right in Cleveland. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft returned to his hometown franchise prior to the 2014-15 season, and he ended up going on a run of four more seasons in a row where he made the NBA Finals – this time in Cleveland.
James also led the Cavs to a title in the 2015-16 season, leading Cleveland back from a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. James’ return to Cleveland was certainly celebrated, especially because of all the franchise’s success.
Hopefully, fans don’t hold any ill will towards Windhorst for his career move back when James went to Miami, especially now that he’s become one of the biggest names at ESPN that covers the NBA.
This season, Cavs fans have a lot to cheer about even though James isn’t with the franchise. Cleveland currently holds the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and has an exciting young core of Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley that could contend for a top spot in the East for years to come.
Luka Doncic Dazzles NBA Fans Despite Lakers’ Loss to Giannis, Bucks with LeBron Out
Luka Dončić put up 45 points and 11 rebounds in the Lakers’ 126-106 loss to the Bucks. The 45 points matched his season-high. Austin Reaves put up 28 points and eight assists. The Lakers are still without LeBron James, who is out with a groin injury.
The Bucks beat the Lakers 126-106 despite Dončić’s best game since joining Los Angeles and one of his best performances of the season.
Dončić, in his 13th game with the Lakers, dropped 45 points and 11 rebounds, carrying the load as Los Angeles awaits the return of LeBron James, who is currently sidelined with a groin injury. Dončić’s 45 points matched his season-high.
Dončić wasn’t the only Laker who stepped up on Thursday as Austin Reaves put up 28 points and eight assists. Dončić and Reaves alone couldn’t lift Los Angeles past Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard and Milwaukee.
Though the Lakers didn’t walk away with the win, fans hyped Dončić’s big night.
Getting a win is important, but Lakers fans are likely happy to see Dončić getting things going after a bit of a slow start to his tenure with the team. After putting up just 21 points per game in his first seven games, Dončić has averaged 32 points per game in March so far.
Heat Fans Happy After LeBron James Report
Heat Fans Happy After LeBron James Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The 40-year-old four-time MVP (James) is “closely monitoring the Lakers’ moves” James’ agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN that contending for a title is James’ priority at this time. James also has a no-trade clause, which means he would have to give his approval for the trade as well. The Heat had a brutal end to their season this year, as they became the first No. 10 seed in NBA history to make the playoffs.
Just when Miami Heat fans were starting to lose hope about the team making a splashy addition this offseason, a new LeBron James development has emerged.
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The Heat had a brutal end to their season this year, as they became the first No. 10 seed in NBA history to make the playoffs, only to be on the wrong end of the NBA’s most lopsided series in playoff history.
With some star power needed, the Heat then emerged as the favorites to land Kevin Durant, giving fans optimism for next season, only to be outbid by the Houston Rockets.
With pressure mounting on team president Pat Riley to make something happen, the perfect opportunity may have fallen right into his lap. According to a bombshell report by ESPN’s Shams Charania, the 40-year-old four-time MVP (James) is “closely monitoring the Lakers’ moves” this offseason after exercising his $52.6 million player option.
James’ agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN that contending for a title is James’ priority at this time, but alluded to the fact that the Lakers could be building for the future after trading for Luka Doncic.
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Following this report, which also revealed that James was spotted in Miami recently, Heat fans have begun hoping for a reunion.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James (23).© Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
“Going to need @kevinlove to get on the phone and tamper hard with LeBron James RIGHT NOW,” wrote one fan.
“This would actually be very cool,” said a second.
“So LeBron James say his wife and him miss Miami the City so he miss being in Miami,” speculated another.
While it’s unclear what the Heat are willing to give up for the aging four-time MVP, he has shown that he is still among the best players in the league.
This past season, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists, earning him a second-team All-NBA selection. James also has a no-trade clause, which means he would have to give his approval for the trade as well.
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Regardless, Heat fans are on hyper alert again this offseason. In his four seasons with Miami in 2010-14, James won two titles and two MVPs.
Related: Duncan Robinson Makes $20 Million Decision on Future With Heat
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Stephen A. Smith Issues Public Apology After False LeBron James Accusations
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith ripped into Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James on “First Take” He falsely accused James of not attending the memorial service of late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant back in 2020. A video of Smith’s comments were slapped with a community note on X, informing users that the accusations against James were untrue. Smith later apologized on social media for falsely accusing James of something he didn’t do. He also apologized for making things personal by taking shots at James’ son Bronny, who he has been critical of since he was drafted last June. The two were involved in a heated confrontation at a game between the Lakers and Knicks on March 6.
Smith ripped into James for many things during his outburst, in which he addressed several issues he had with James’ interview on the “Pat McAfee Show” on Wednesday.
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But where Smith got himself in a bit of trouble was when he falsely accused James of not attending the memorial service of late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant back in 2020, and he implied that James had shady motives for skipping the service.
“He should be happy with the things that I haven’t brought up,” Smith exclaimed. “I never brought up why you were not at Kobe Bryant’s memorial service. I never really brought up a discussion about why you did not attend Dwyane Wade’s Hall of Fame induction when that man was directly responsible for you capturing the championship for the first time in your career. I never brought none of that.”
However, Smith’s remarks were quickly debunked.
Stephen A. Smith (left) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (right).Kirby Lee, Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
A video of Smith’s comments were slapped with a community note on X, informing users that the accusations against James were untrue, and many fans started citing a Los Angeles Times report from 2020 that proved that James did, in fact, attend Bryant’s memorial.
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“Among the Lakers-related faces in the audience: Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Phil Jackson, Jerry West, Rick Fox, and LeBron James,” the report read.
Though Smith corrected himself later in Thursday’s episode of “First Take,” he also took to social media to apologize for falsely accusing James of something he didn’t do.
“My apologies and clarification. I misspoke in Hour#1 of @FirstTake today when I intimated that LeBron did not attend Kobe Bryant’s memorial,” Smith wrote. “I corrected myself in Hour#2 when I acknowledged he was indeed in attendance. My mistake. Should not have even broached that subject. It was not my main point. I retract NOTHING else that I said. Have a nice day!”
Bad blood has been brewing between Smith and James for months, and things came to a head following a March 6 game between the Lakers and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden when the two were involved in a heated confrontation about James’ son Bronny.
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Smith has made no apologies for being overly critical of Bronny since he was drafted last June, and James has made it known he’s not a fan of Smith making things personal by taking shots at his family.
Related: Stephen A. Smith Sends Strong Message to Pat McAfee After LeBron James Interview
Report Debunks Stephen A. Smith’s Claim About LeBron James Missing Kobe Bryant’s Memorial Service
ESPN host Stephen A. Smith fired back at LeBron James on Thursday. James roasted Smith on Instagram with a video of him looking funny while doing boxing drills. James was notably absent from Dwyane Wade’s Hall of Fame induction in 2023. A report from the Los Angeles Times in 2020 mentioned that James was indeed in attendance at Kobe Bryant’s memorial service. The Lakers veteran has yet to respond to Smith’s latest rant as of writing.. “Stephen A Smith is spiraling, trying to use Kobe to hurt Lebron is crazy AND BEING COMPLETELY WRONG ABOUT IT!” said a fan. “Yeah, it might be over for Stephen A Smith. How can you lie about something like this?”
After their win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, James roasted Smith on Instagram with a video of him looking funny while doing boxing drills.
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Of course, Smith had to fire back. On ESPN’s “First Take” on Thursday, the controversial host didn’t hold back on the Lakers forward.
“He should be happy with the things that I haven’t brought up,” said Smith. “I never brought up why you were not at Kobe Bryant’s memorial service.
“I never really brought up a discussion about why you did not attend Dwyane Wade’s Hall of Fame induction when that man was directly responsible for you capturing the championship for the first time in your career. I never brought none of that.”
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James in action at Crypto.com Arena.Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
However, a report from the Los Angeles Times in 2020 mentioned that James was indeed in attendance at Bryant’s memorial service.
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“Among the Lakers-related faces in the audience: Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, Phil Jackson, Jerry West, Rick Fox and LeBron James,” said the report.
Other outlets, including The Washington Post and Entertainment Tonight also mentioned James as among the attendees.
Fans chastised Smith while also posting receipts.
“Low class and embarrassing from Stephen A.,” said a fan.
“Stephen A. Smith makes two false claims in 20 seconds,” added another fan.
“Diana Taurasi pointed at and referred to LeBron during her speech at Kobe’s memorial,” shared an X user. “Yeah, it might be over for Stephen A. Smith. How can you lie about something like this?”
“Stephen A. Smith hoping Kobe (and Wade) fans will blindly start attacking LeBron without fact-checking, and get the heat off him,” wrote a fan.
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“Stephen A. Smith calling LeBron a liar and then immediately lying about him not attending Kobe’s memorial sure is a choice,” commented another fan.
“Stephen A Smith is spiraling, trying to use Kobe to hurt Lebron is crazy AND BEING COMPLETELY WRONG ABOUT IT!” said a fan.
While it’s true that James was notably absent from Wade’s Hall of Fame induction in 2023, the reason wasn’t disclosed. Just a few days before the ceremony, James’ son, Bronny James, suffered a cardiac arrest during a workout.
The Lakers veteran has yet to respond to Smith’s latest rant as of writing.
Related: NBA, NFL Stars React to LeBron James Clowning Stephen A. Smith After Lakers Game
Related: Stephen A. Smith Faces More Backlash After Viral Response to LeBron James Confrontation
Source: https://athlonsports.com/nba/miami-heat/heat-fans-happy-after-lebron-james-report