LeBron James claims that the infamous “Ultimate Warrior” t-shirt that he wore following their tremendous NBA Finals comeback was not planned. As soon as he stepped off of that plane, outside of JR Smith going shirtless, James had the twitter world in a frenzy. Many saw the shirt as a “rub in the face” to the Golden State Warriors but James explained it was just a coincidence (via Alyson Shontell of Business Insiders).
Shontell: You were wearing an Ultimate Warrior shirt when you got off the plane. People loved that — well, or hated it. Be honest: Did you pack that before you won game seven? How’d you wind up wearing that shirt?
James: Well, it’s funny because my wife bought [it earlier]. She asked me who my favorite wrestlers of all time were, and I told her Sting, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Ultimate Warrior, The Undertaker, and Ric Flair. Those are some of my favorite guys ever from growing up.
So, one day I get home from practice, and there are these T-shirts laying in my bedroom, and my wife purchased them from a store. I packed them all throughout the playoffs. And the shirt that I had on to come home in, I wore in Vegas, and my teammates sprayed me with Champagne. It got soaking wet, so I had to throw it in the trash, and the only other shirt I had in my bag was my Ultimate Warrior T-shirt.
There’s no way I’m buying this excuse from LeBron James. We all know that shirt was planned just in case the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Finals. The Golden State Warriors were the favorite all season, especially after going 73-9 during the regular season so why wouldn’t LeBron and company rub it in?
Also, lets not act like James isn’t one to throw shade. Previous to last season, all the attention was on LeBron James but ever since Stephen Curry and the Warriors have erupted, he has been put on the back burner in terms of the “face of the NBA”. Is there jealousy there, I’m not sure but lets not forget how LeBron tried to downplay Curry’s unanimous MVP award just last season.
“I think sometimes the word ‘valuable’ or best player of the year, you can have different results,” said James, a four-time MVP. “You know, that’s not taking anything from anyone that’s ever won the award.
“Look at Steph’s numbers,” he said. “He averaged 30, he led the league in steals, he was 90-50-40 [shooting percentages from the free-throw line, field and 3-pointers], and they won 73 [games]. So, I don’t, do you have any debate over that, really, when it comes to that award? But when you talk about most ‘valuable’ then you can have a different conversation, so, take nothing away from him, he’s definitely deserving of that award, for sure.”
LeBron James threw shade then and he knew what he was doing when he put on that “Ultimate Warrior” t-shirt. Believe the hype.
