We found out today that Stanley Johnson does not stand down from a little trash talking. In fact, when he trash talks, he likes to do it against some of today’s best.
Stanley Johnson has been known throughout his whole rookie campaign as a good defensive player who is going to breed into something greater. Probably, though, not as great as the player he is now talking trash to, LeBron James.
Despite LeBron going 27 points (12-18), along with 3 assists and 3 steals for the Cavaliers and putting them up 2-0 in series, Stanley Johnson thinks he is in The King’s head.
“I’m definitely in his head, that’s for sure,” Johnson said.
He added more later saying,
“He jabbers and moves his mouth sometimes – their whole team does, like they’re cheerleaders on the bench.”
“I wish he would just talk when it’s 0-0, not when he’s up 16 and already got it going. That means something. That means you’re confident in yourself.”
Oh Stanley. Have you never heard the saying, “DON’T POKE THE BEAR!”
Yeah you woke up this bear.
Well that was stupid.
This was a foolish thing by a foolish rookie and I am sure Van Gundy is over in the team hotel shaking his head saying, “Why?!?”
For Stanley Johnson, to say this kind of thing about a guy I am sure you emulate some of your game after is just plain stupid. If James was having a bad first two games and was clearly frustrated with Johnson’s defense, it would be one thing.
But James has had two pretty decent games with 22 points and 28 points, respectively. It just does not make sense coming from a guy who’s team is down 2-0 and could be on the verge of a sweep if they are not too careful.
With Johnson saying this, a sweep could come for Cleveland. Don’t be surprised if James has himself some historic games versus Johnson. He is going to want to prove a point and make Johnson look foolish.
We have seen this before. Many players have talked trash to LeBron in the past, Jokakim Noah, Tobias Harris, and DeShawn Stevenson to name a few. The most notable incident is the Lance Stephenson-LeBron incident.
Everyone remembers the ear blowing.
That next game, LeBron dropped 25 points and hit nine free throws to send Cleveland to the Finals.
You don’t want to do this, Stanley.
