LeBron James clarified his comments on rookie Dennis Smith Jr. after saying the North Carolina State product should have been drafted by the New York Knicks, which the latter took as a diss to Frank Ntilikina, who they drafted with the eighth overall selection.
“I just think that his athleticism, his playmaking ability… I’ve been knowing the kid since he was 14 years old, so I know what he’s capable of,” said James. “I wasn’t throwing shade at Frank at all. People that got their pants in bunches and things of that nature in New York, looking for any controversy there.”
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“I was basically stating what I saw on Dennis Smith and what I saw from him coming out in the draft and I thought he would be a great fit here with Porzingis. It’s not saying Frank wouldn’t be a great fit, I haven’t seen much of him. I know about him from my best friend who I went to high school with, who actually played with him the last two years overseas.”
James noted his comments were just mere observations that weren’t meant to be taken out into a broader context.
“You state what you see,” said James, comparing his comments of thinking Houston Texans quarterback DeShaun Watson should be a starter for the Cleveland Browns instead. “This is for clarification for people who just live in a box and for Enes Kanter who always has something to say.”
Asked if this was a shot at former Knicks president Phil Jackson for selecting Ntilikina with the eighth pick, James didn’t pass on the opportunity.
“Oh yeah, it’s definitely a shot at him,” said James. “That’s for sure.”
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The King and the Zen Master had gone back and forth after Jackson’s comments of James’ “posse” had gone viral, thing the Cavs forward took issue with, stating it came across as a racial insult to his friends.
