LeBron James spoke to the PD during a session at the National Association of Black Journalists convention, where he also promoted his film "More Than A Game." He discussed various topics which have created quite a stir in the media the past few months.
First he spoke about the trade for center Shaquille O'Neal:
Wow. Anytime you can get a guy like that. . . . I was asked by [management], 'Would you like him to be a part of this team?' and I said, 'Of course.' I've never had a low-post presence since I've been in the league. I love it.
He also talked about the new dimension that Shaq will add to the offense:
I can use some of my athleticism when a double-team comes and slash to the rim. Shaq's a very good passer, so he'll just throw it at the rim and I'll go get it.
On the aftermath of Game 6 against the Magic, when he walked off the court without shaking hands and refused to speak with the media, he said he would change a few things (but not everything).
"I wouldn't have done it the same," James said. "I would have [talked with] the media. Looking back on it, without you guys, there's no LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Tiger Woods or no Peyton Manning without the media."James, however, does not have any regrets about not shaking hands -- a practice that is uncommon during 82 the regular-season games.
"Shaking hands is not a big deal to me," James said. "It's not being a sore loser; it's moving on."
Finally, he spoke about the dunk controversy at his camp.
"I never told anyone to confiscate any tapes," James said. "Nike has a no-videotape policy at pickup games. Now that LeBron is involved, it's blown up."
James added with a smile.
"It's a play that happens in basketball all the time. You can go on YouTube and see me being dunked on by a lot of guys. I like to call myself a shot-blocker, and [getting dunked on] tends to happen."
I'm glad to see him speak up about these issues. Hopefull now the media will move on from this and talk about real basketball issues instead of these made-up "controversies", but I doubt it.