USA Today via Reuters
Dec 2, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; NBA official separates Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 2, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; NBA official separates Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
LeBron James and Ime Udoka got into a verbal altercation in the last game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets. The Rockets head coach reportedly called the Lakers “bit*hes” during the fourth quarter for whining about the calls. King James took offense to Udoka’s words and confronted the head coach. The official called both LeBron and Udoka for a technical foul, leading to Udoka getting ejected from the game. The Rockets went on to lose the game 107-97.
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Following the verbal spat and controversial ejection of Ime Udoka, veteran analyst Stephen A. Smith called out King James for his actions during the game.
Stephen A. Smith calls out LeBron James
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith addressed LeBron and Udoka’s verbal spat on the episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show. The analyst believes it would have been okay for LeBron to confront Udoka about using the word “bit*h” if it was directed toward him. But Udoka said, “Stop crying like bit*hes man” to the Lakers squad for questioning every call. Stephen A. called out King James for his actions, “Who are you? You the Grandma Police or something? What the hell is going on?” According to Stephen A. Smith, LeBron should not have stopped a grown man from saying what he wants.
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When LeBron was asked about what was said between him and Udoka, he replied that they were talking about Thanksgiving. The Lakers superstar did not want to reveal the conversation. According to a courtside video of the incident that was posted by a fan on social media, LeBron said to Udoka for using the word “bit*hes”, “Don’t use that word so loosely.”
King James takes a backseat as Anthony Davis continues his hot streak
Although the Rockets-Lakers game got heated when LeBron and Udoka got into a verbal spat, the Lakers cruised past the Rockets with no problem. King James did not have to do much in the game and scored only 16 points. It looks like King James has decided to take a backseat as his co-star, Anthony Davis, is in his best stretch of the season. AD has performed great in the last five games and carried the Lakers’ offense. He continued his hot streak against the Rockets and finished with 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
It is great for the Lakers that AD is playing his best basketball right now as that gives King James some time to relax and recover from fatigue. LeBron is turning 39 this month, and he will be happy to pass the Lakers torch to Anthony Davis.
The Lakers face the Phoenix Suns in the In-Season Quarter Finals next. Can they continue their dominance in the new NBA cup tournament?
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Written by
Edited by
Sameen Nawathe