MIAMI (AP) - LeBron James and Daniel Gibson are still talking.
And James says they’re still friends, too.
A day after Gibson was quoted saying things that went on that he “didn’t like” during Miami’s 118-90 romp in James’ homecoming-of-sorts in Cleveland, the NBA’s two-time reigning MVP had a private conversation with his former teammate hours before the Heat hosted the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
James’ assessment?
“We’re all good,” James said.
James’ interactions with the Cavaliers has been a talking point since Thursday, when some of the teammates he left behind when he chose to leave Cleveland for Miami in free agency greeted him with handshakes and hugs, some seemed to greet him half-heartedly at best. James seemed to enjoy the banter, most of which he called good-natured.
As with everything involving James, though, some feathers in Cleveland got ruffled.
When James was scoring 24 points in the third quarter, on his way to a 38-point night, he seemed to look at the Cleveland bench more than once. He spun once and mouthed something toward the Cleveland bench, and he and Gibson _ who seemed less than upset about the exchange at the time _ jawed back and forth at least once.
“We all know LeBron and we all know that he enjoys being in front of the camera,” Gibson said Friday. “To say we were fraternizing and being friendly … nobody knows what was said and the things that were said probably could not be repeated right now.”
Told Saturday that Gibson, the Cavs’ guard, said his relationship with his former teammate was damaged, James seemed taken aback.
“Did he say that? Did he ask to be quoted saying, ’Me and LeBron’s friendship is … ’ I talked to Daniel today,” James said.
For his part, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra couldn’t believe the issue has become an issue. Spoelstra said James was serious about winning, which was all he asks.
“I just can’t believe it’s a story,” Spoelstra said.
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