Lakers superstar Le Bron James has hit back at critics who have been questioning his habit of monitoring up and coming young players.
And that includes talented youngsters from opposing clubs.
The 35-year-old 6ft 9in basketball giant has sent them a message saying, “they can go kiss my axxxx”.
“It’s my obligation and it’s my job to continue to pass on the game to the guys that are coming in after me, it’s my responsibility,” he told a news conference on Sunday.
“No-one told me to do that. I just feel like it’s my responsibility to leave the game in a better place than when I had it.”
This was after James’ triple-double of 34 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds had led the contending Lakers to a 122-114 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans.
For the Pelicans, Zion Williamson – the top pick in the 2019 NBA Draft – scored a career-high 35 points to continue his strong start to his NBA career.
Le Bron shared a moment with Ja Morant
James, a three-time NBA championship winner and four-time MVP, shared a post-game moment with Williamson.
Earlier in the week he was seen praising the Memphis Grizzlies young gun Ja Morant. And this after the Lakers had lost 105-88 to the Grizzlies
“You can see the class of guys that are in our league right now, I mentioned Ja last night. You mentioned Zion tonight. You see Tare Young, you see Luka Doncic, and you see Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell. You just see all these guys, these good young guys. It tells you the league is in a very good place.
“If I’m able to give my wisdom and game and pass it down no matter when I’m playing or after I’m playing I feel like it’s my job because the game has given me so much since I started playing when I was eight years old.
“It’s my responsibility and anybody that says, ‘Le Bron, why would he do that while he’s playing? It’s a sign of weakness. He’s buddy-buddy with guys he’s going against’, tell them they can kiss my a*** – and with a smile too.”
LeBron & Zion embrace in #PhantomCam pic.twitter.com/A9LIhbFl5G
— NBA (@NBA) March 2, 2020