Heat vs. Knicks, Nov. 2nd, 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Projected line: Miami Heat (-8.5)
NEW YORK -- After an offseason full of questions, LeBron James returned to the hardwood as a new man during the Miami Heat’s 91-84 come from behind win against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.
James was heavily criticized for disappearing during the fourth quarters of the NBA Finals against Dallas last season. With the Heat trailing 71-59 heading to the fourth quarter, James took a stand.
“After what happened against Dallas, I just knew what I had to do,” James said, “I had to show leadership.”
Then, LeBron grabbed a towel and benched himself for the fourth quarter. “It had to be done,” said James.
With James’ self-benching, new head coach Pat Riley relied on Dwyane Wade during the final period. Wade’s personal 17-0 run was the deciding factor in the fourth.
When asked if it bothered him that fans may be happy to see him on the bench, LeBron responded, “Absolutely not. Because at the end of the day, all the people that was rooting on me to fail, at the end of the day they have to wake up tomorrow and have the same life that they had before they woke up today. They have the same personal problems they had today.”
James paused.
“And me? Sure, I got problems - delusions of grandeur, male pattern baldness. But, you know what? Read my Twitter: I’m getting hair plugs, bitches.”
Hot Forum Topics
