Lebron James Talks 'Frustration and Anger' After Early Exit in Game 1 Loss
Lebron James skipped the press conference after Game 1 in the 2014 NBA Finals, but after having to leave the game with four minutes left in the fourth quarter he spoke up about the ordeal.
James, the 29-year-old NBA forward, is looking to 3-peat while his team has another chance at a championship this year. However, an obstacle stood in the way of the defending NBA championship winning Heat as they lost to the San Antonio Spurs at their AT&T Center.
The Heat's 110-95 loss came about after both teams were forced to play without air conditioning in an arena that exceeded 90 degrees, according to Sports Illustrated reports. While the Spurs played through the lack of air conditioning due to an electrical issue, James was noticeably absent from the court after being carried off due to cramping in the fourth quarter.
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Although James managed to be his team's leading scorer with 25 points, his cramping kept him off of the court in the final minutes of the game. The former NBA Finals MVP shut down most of the press awaiting him after the game and opened up to a pool reporter about his issues during the game.
"My muscles spasmed 10 out of 10. The best thing for me to do was not move," James told a pool reporter after the game. "It was the whole left leg. Damn near the whole left side."
While he received fluids in the form of an IV that allowed him to walk out of the arena after the game, James expressed his frustration for what took place.
"It's frustration and anger. … I lost all the fluids that I was putting in in the last couple of days out there on the floor." LBJ said. "I was going to try to give it a go and Spo said no. It sucks at this point in time in the season. … It was frustrating sitting out."
While Spurs fans and Heat naysayers joked about James' early exit in the form of memes, some even questioned if the lack of air conditioning was purposely done to stop the visiting team from winning. However, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra denied the claims.
"No, that would take an incredible mind to plan that," Spoelstra said in a press conference after the game.
James said he would be ready to face the Spurs for Game 2 on Sunday in their arena.
"I look forward to Game 2 and go from there," James told a pool reporter.
