LeBron James reacts to questions regarding JR Smith’s play at the end of regulation. #NBAFinals#GameTime pic.twitter.com/mREngTdbxv
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 1, 2018
LeBron James got a little testy during his postgame press conference after Game 1, when he was asked whether or not J.R. Smith knew the game was tied during closing seconds, or if Smith thought the Cavaliers were ahead. Here’s the play in the question, where it appears that Smith is trying to run out the clock, and where he appears to mouth “I thought we were ahead.”
Interesting tactic from J.R. Smith pic.twitter.com/7eacYbekpn
— KNBR (@KNBR) June 1, 2018
“I thought we were ahead.” – JR Smith pic.twitter.com/OjCt4VMCEj
— Agent of NBA Chaos (@World_Wide_Wob) June 1, 2018
After the game, Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue said that Smith thought the Cavs were up one, while Smith denied that was the case.
When LeBron was questioned by an ESPN reporter, he said he didn’t know whether or not J.R. knew. Upon being pressed on the issue, LeBron got up and exited the press conference.
Here’s the full transcript:
Q: From listening to everybody’s reaction to the play at the end with JR getting the rebound, there is still confusion whether Jr thought the game was tied or whether he thought you guys were ahead. From where you stood on the court and from talking to him after the play, what’s your reaction to it? What is your version?
LEBRON: What do you mean what’s my version?
Q: Well, did he think the game was tied or did he think you guys had it salted away?
LEBRON: How do I know that?
Q: Did you discuss it at all with him at the end of the play?
LEBRON: No, they asked me if I talked to JR about it. I said no already. I knew it was a tie game. We were down 1. George Hill went up, he made the first one. We got the offensive rebound, you know, I thought we were all aware of what was going on. That’s my view. So I don’t know what JR was thinking. I don’t know the question you’re trying to ask.
I was just trying to see if you knew exactly what his state of mind was. Did he think that you guys had it won, or did you think he was trying to make a play?
LEBRON: No
Q: What do you mean?
LEBRON: No, I don’t know his state of mind.
Q: Did you know if he knew the score?
*Lebron then walked out, telling the media to “be better tomorrow,” as he exited.