Le Batard: LeBron James' bench reaction 'diva behavior of the highest order' | Dan Le Batard | ESPN

Dan Le Batard, Stugotz and the crew roast LeBron James for his reaction on the bench to the fact that Tyronn Lue did not call timeout after JR Smith's mistake, with Le Batard saying the Cleveland Cavaliers star exhibited "diva behavior of the highest order."
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[@mohamedcoulibaly5774]

imagine droppin 51 points in the finals, with a blurry eye. the refs and your teammates send the game to overtime. the coach tells you that even with the missed free throw (which WOULD'VE won the game), JR's offensive rebound/blunder (which could've won the game) , you still had a fuckin timeout and ANOTHER chance to seal the game. you're 33, and played the most minutes in these playoffs. Damn right I would be fuckin upset. but they getting paid to criticize so does it matter?

[@tayinap4269]

Mohamed Coulibaly I think LBJ acted classy. In his position, I would have punched JR, Hill, and Lue, and banged all the referees cars in the parking for that shit.

[@Justdale15]

Tayina P fr fr I was thinking earlier some player flipping chairs or something that's what I would've been doing fr

[@paultaylor3841]

Exactly! He's Human! He could've been punching Jr.. Hill ... Lue and the referee too. I don't blame LeBron.

[@robertoq125]

You’re all talking shyt about LJ and JR Smith but they’re laughing all the way to the bank with their millions🤣🤣😂

[@razkable]

lebrons the goat..hes the best player i ever seen when he wants to be he carries bums better than anyone hes clutcher than kobe magic bird combined and i still think lebron needs to take more of a leadership role carrying the worst defensive finals team ever..why is smith battling kd for that rebound as a guard..why isnt LeBron there for the tip in...just saying ..that was an easy 51 8 and 8...lebron easily could of gotten 55 maybe 60..he was playing too slow...where was his urgency we saw in game 2 and 3 of the 2015 finals...LeBron is a diva..he wants all the credit no blame and when he leaves he controls narratives like oh he didnt have enough help...well then dont get your buddies 15 million dollar contracts..

[@earlbishop3302]

Dan is still mad he left Miami. He’s the one throwing the tantrum.

[@RLSmith-jt8qj]

Earl Bishop dan just thinks it's funny

[@serpirt]

Lol wow you don't get Dan Worst comment so far

[@1juicecrazy]

Wish these media people stop acting like they wouldn’t react the same way ... in the heat of the moment everybody would act that way.

[@286mic]

JuiceLeGawd that's the thing. We and the media are mortals. LeBron is suppose to be almost a Deity, he can't be throwing tantrums like that in a game that important

[@MavZc]

they would, but you the leader of the team, the so called GOAT of this generation DONT do that going into Overtime. thats what separates Great Leaders from "everybody else"

[@bbt2535]

Exactly. MJ woulda cursed all of em out immediately.

[@TyrannosaurusThunder]

15 million dollar per year player should know with 4 seconds left you put the ball in LBJ's hands as quick as possible if you aren't immediately taking the shot from that rebound.

[@bbt2535]

MavC.... curry and kd didn’t do shit either.

[@shwin.]

I wonder if Dan LeBastard would be saying this if LeBron was still playing in Miami...

[@serpirt]

Ash Lol wow you don't get Dan

[@shwin.]

Beyond The Benches Lol wow you think I care! If you want to associate yourself with these types of moronic opinions go right ahead, but I prefer not to turn my brain to mush.

[@serpirt]

Ash Most popular sports show in America but ight

[@ryanabbeyseon]

Spoelstra would’ve called timeout.

[@serpirt]

Ryan Abbey that's true lol

[@femlin1994]

I'm sorry, but the fact that Lebron didn't slap JR and Ty Lue beside the head showed incredible restraint.

[@razkable]

mj wade kobe all would of slapped them...just saying...

[@pg13pacernation30]

omg people out here still hating on Bron I mean who wouldn't react like that knowing you played ur ass off and put up 51 points just to lose the worst way possible smh

[@javonday20]

This coming from guys who have never played a sport in there lives. They cant even relate to the devastation that he was going through

[@TheJohnw5902]

Still got a game to play

[@serpirt]

1. All of them but Dan played college sports 2. who cares they're talking about his reaction lol

[@javonday20]

Beyond The Benches when did they play? And its easy to talk like that about his reaction when they have never had a moment like that so they cant relate. Just like you probably canf

[@serpirt]

Javon Day Theyre just laughing at his reaction, it's not a big critism

[@javonday20]

Beyond The Benches they literally said its Diva behavior. Thats not criticism

[@shawnbaker3245]

Diva behavior????? He carried that team kicking and screaming to the finals. Besides Kevin Love, He had almost no help. He earned being pissed!!!!

[@dlckddyd76]

I didn't know lebron was avg 100+ pts 40+ rb and 40+ self assist per game and also defended 5 opposing players by him self.

[@cyborgiguana437]

Shawn Baker almost no help?

[@JustinSimperlake]

dlckddyd76 lol come on now, his teammates have been disgustingly bad. Stop it.

[@cyborgiguana437]

Nigga from Diary of a Mad Black Woman except for Kevin love

[@JustinSimperlake]

Cyborg Iguana 437 true I mean he should be energized from coasting in 2 of the first 3 rounds

[@BlobbyBlobz2acct]

media acts way more diva than these players, its as if theyre the one playing

[@mcastro187]

I’m not a cavs fan or lebron fan but I don’t think he deserves any blame for what happened. The extra footage of them on the bench makes the coaching staff look horrible. They deserve a lot of blame. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ty Lou was fired after this series

[@GabeTheGreat]

J- RICH exactly

[@serpirt]

They're not blaming him they're just laughing at it chill lol

[@BestKeptSecret18]

What is this bullshit? He put up 51 points, carried them single handedly through the playoffs, JR happened AND Lue didn't call a timeout? I would be pissed too!

[@MrMywishlist]

LeBron was more disappointed than acting like a “diva”

[@anthonythompson1677]

Right. Lebron was irritated that he scores 51 points but can't even count on his teammate to know what the score of the game is. The finals are gonna be a sweep so you gotta make up story lines. Hint: Everyone sees through it ESPN. You're just embarrassing yourselves.

[@heraldojacques8386]

Anthony Thompson Continue to make excuses for him. When you are trying to make history and be a champion, no matter what happens, YOU. MOVE.FOWARD. He should've closed that game.

[@Anthonycheesman33]

Heraldo Jacques lmao

[@tamyedoll7716]

Anthony Thompson king ain't getting swept

[@thathawaiiandude787]

Tamye www.google.com/amp/s/amp.businessinsider.com/golden-state-warriors-nba-champions-sweep-cavs-2018-6

[@Byebye7874]

Says the man who cried when finding out his boss resigned live on air 😂😂😂😂

[@leecereesey1115]

He was crying because his friend not just his boss has a drug issue but appeared OK in their everyday life not because he resigned life is deeper than a 9-5

[@Byebye7874]

leece reesey no he wasn't he cries talking about I just wanna talk to him that's what he said skipper didn't say until clay Travis unveiled him being at a bar with this dummy

[@SBdunk1987]

Yes, let's pick apart Lebron James, like we pick apart no other NBA superstar......Again. Slow news day eh?

[@bbt2535]

orelson... they wanna compare everything to MJ who didn’t win til a hall fame coach and hall fame player. What MJ woulda done? Cursed all of out. On the spot.

[@Pacdatty831]

Westbrook? Harden?

[@Justdale15]

Nico Caliphornia n MntryBay hell no

[@Slenderirl]

shut up dude, you seeing the truth! embrace it, he's a great player but he aint goat! thats what we are picking apart!

[@SBdunk1987]

Beeginning your response with "shut up dude" tells me everything I need to know about you.

[@johnthursday2]

lebron had so much anger that he would have beaten the all palace with one arm, he reacted in a really calm way compared to the situation you bastards!!!

[@JustinSimperlake]

Dan Le Bayless

[@gta2076]

What tantrum? Looked like he was just sitting there looking around. He could have done it a better way, but to say he was like a child is ludacris. You want a tantrum, look at Draymond!

[@razkable]

if i scored 51 i would be pissed too..hes mad cause he wants to win.that's never bad..its not like hes pouting about shots

[@bradmason8334]

They have NO clue what an athlete of that caliber experiences... so it would seem that a couch/mic jock would see it that way

[@drewsy]

How is Dan claiming to know what lebron was thinking? He said in press conference that he DIDNT know whether they had time outs.

[@elp3035]

Zachary Andrews so how can he be mad at RJ for not knowing the score and he doesn't even know if they have time outs? Its literally the same thing

[@drewsy]

No, you're assuming too much. He could have easily been mad at the refs bc they didn't give him the time out. Watch the replay, he calls a time out with 1.7 left right next to official.

[@elp3035]

Zachary Andrews you're contradicting yourself. Did he know or didn't he. You said he said he didn't know at the press conference and now he called a timeout that was ignored? Which one is it?

[@drewsy]

You're not very smart. He called it (just in case they had one) and was ignored, but wasn't sure enough to be pissed off at anyone. He asks Ty Lou after regulation ends, finds out they had one, and realizes that the refs cost him the game.

[@elp3035]

Zachary Andrews you must be the smartest person in the world cause you're the only person saying that. Where did anyone; anywhere, say he called a time out and was ignored? Please, show proof. And if hes calling it just in case, that means that he was guessing. And if you were as smart as I presume for you to be, then you would know that calling a time out when you don't have one is a tech. He would've literally lost them the game. And even if they missed the free throw, they would also get posession. He would never call a time out without knowing if they had one left or not. Especially with 1.7 left.

[@IrrasO]

he's frustrated as hell because in game 1, he played better than any other player on that court and by a wide margin, yet his clown of a team and coaching staff can't do the minimum they need to do to push them over the line for the win.

[@kezza9614]

Lol how the fuck are these people credible ESPN reporters, is this the state of ESPN now?

[@gamester1440]

He was actually upset because the refs didn’t give him the timeout that he called and there was a lane violation

[@MyName-gz7yi]

I really like LeBatard, but cmon man. I really don’t think LeBron deserves ANY criticism, honestly. He’s a human being.

[@ozonespec]

The Diva behavior was called for. Everything that led to that was ridiculous! I feel for Lebron.

[@antoyal]

Imagine a Larry Bird or Magic Johnson in the exact same situation. In your heart of hearts, do you think that they would just sit there for 5 minutes, pouting to themselves? Or would they be acting like leaders?

[@Shamanking455]

antoyal magic been in this situation he was sad asf after he dribbled the ball out in the finals

[@antoyal]

He moped and ignored his teammates for the entire time until the Overtime period began instead of getting everybody ready for the OT? That really doesn't sound like Magic.

[@pronobb8104]

Still wondering why they still air this show

[@serpirt]

Pronob B because it's the best sports show in America

[@DCZero7]

Bro how many people do you need on your show?!😂

[@shayobrien4658]

They’re taking 5 seconds and breaking it down like it’s a soap opera, Christ this is brutal, how is this on ESPN

[@narutocankillgoku8023]

There is 7 people in the room and the show is called by one guy.

[@drkdze]

He wanted to say purse sooooo bad. Which is why he described it the way he did. Go head and say it dawg, he grab his purse and walked out like a bitch! Lol

[@prestokrs1]

These people really need to get a life

[@Justdale15]

Tantrum? Ok lol

[@wildman36845]

If you're THAT GOOD and the game comes down to THAT PLAY it's completely understandable

[@gregrussell1787]

I would challenge anyone to find a game with that many "excuses" in the closing minutes. Durant stripped twice and went to the line, overturned charge call, 80%+ FT shooter missing, JR blunder, no timeout called. I'm all for saying you have to get over and go execute... but, damn that was a lot of "bad luck" at the end of that game that looked like it was over with 5 to go.

[@jotariq910]

I stand by the comments completely. Honestly looks like no one can disagree with this dude on set or you get fucking fired...

[@mzilec]

He called time out, they didn't give him one. So it's perfectly natural, logical and rational to ask if they even have a time out. And to find out you had a time out after you called one and didn't get one... after all those onesided calls from refs... he was incredibly calm if you ask me. The questio is wtf is this dude talking about

[@mardagloden1812]

I would do the same thing , I called a timeout and refs blind didn’t see it get to the bench and find out we had 1

[@MrNaturalSez]

LeBron for the first 43 minutes and Larry for the last 5.

[@adam7mma]

Definition of a slow news day

[@gabedavila1842]

I wonder if he would say this if he actually played and this happened to him

[@prestokrs1]

I just want to say I've seen Dan have a tatrum from one joke.

[@darkmanx2g]

I don't think Lebatard would see it the same way if he did 90% of the work for this show and these guys just sit there with no responsibility while getting paid. I don't think he would laughing like he is on this segment.

[@MrTsouros]

in.my.country.we.say:if.jealous.was.a.scab.it.will.fill.the.whole.country

[@adrienisaacrubalcado5879]

Never In my life have I seen an ESPN video with more “DISLIKES” than “LIKES” 😭💀. Bronsexuals are crazy af out here. “HOW DARE YOU POINT OUT REAL FACTS DAN!” Lmfao

[@MD-cy8uj]

Finally the Truth. What’s even worse is he gave up in OT. Then, in the next game he choked 4 layups in the 3rd Quarter and didn’t show up in the 4th Quarter.

[@nbaofficialnowhistle8796]

Lol if im Lebron i would retire and put everyone at ESPN out of job. Reaching at its finest

[@julioelchavez2889]

Oh how his tune has changed about lebron compared to when lebron was on the heat

[@DeaconSlade]

Did you call it diva behavior when Tom Brady cussed out the offensive coordinator in New England on the sideline for the world to see?

[@unclerandy1023]

He has been acting like a diva his entire career

[@prestokrs1]

Why is he bringing up his wardrobe? Dan is a bumb.

[@Tim_Marshall73]

When I read this i thought it meant bench press 😂😓

[@bobpolo2964]

How on earth can you rally the troops after pouring your entire body into a game that you weren't even supposed to be winning in the first place? They acting like LeTeam a robot or something. bro, can you imagine the mental impact that he had to deal with? Anybody who tries to find a way to blame LeEverything is straight clownin

[@thekenyanpaul]

Kobe got the Lakers humiliated in a game 7 to lose a series by refusing to shoot because he had a tantrum against Phil Jackson who he wanted to teach a lesson. Diva behaviours are common amongst the great players because they know the team needs them more than they need the team!

[@emmanuelmoses7249]

Clearly this man has never played sports in his life.

[@shaybs1330]

Not a fan of Lebron fans but I am a Cavs fan so also a Lebron fan

[@kobexu]

I guess these people have never heard of the 5 stages of grief. Let's not even considered the fact it's the NBA finals game in Oakland against a team that's vastly superior, a game that they should've won and could determine the series. Let's pretend you just got your shinny iphone and the next thing you know you dropped it on the concrete and broke the screen. You're telling me you wouldn't be devastated for 15 secs and couldn't accept the fact your new phone just broke? These people are nothing but trolls.. got no respect for them!

[@RoLPeace]

Reacted that way because he expects more from his coaches and teammates. You're a heavy underdog you feel the calls have went against you and you get sabotaged by your team. This just shows he cares. In was more concerned with Smith reaction. No emotion at all.

[@KaiserReb]

If your taking his comment seriously you don’t get the show. These dudes just make fun of sports in general

[@jordan12118]

Dan LeBatard looks like he doesn't bathe

[@liveish2717]

How do these guys get these jobs..

[@tonymatrisin4328]

Little miss lebron hahahahahaha stugotz is the man

[@parch06]

Sports are stupid, that's why this show is the best

[@gmonroy852]

I mean I understand all the negative comments but this show isn't to be taken soo seriously..... it's a sports radio show mixed with extreme comedy skits....

[@dyxaccount]

Never had a basketball in their hands...

[@josephmoorer1964]

yeah they say nba back then was more brute but no social media following as they follow now so i say nba players now handles it well or the best they can, probably half the league back then would be exposed like no other and probably wouldn't be in the league...

[@kingchino6179]

But yet though people still got the nerve to compare him to MJ smh

[@Jettahs]

This video sums up why ESPN is losing viewers, I bet you if lebron appeared to be on their show, they won't have that same energy in person

[@bberger96]

Are we really taking about tantrums and not talking about draymond green because every foul he throws a hissy fit and is literally yelling at the ref and no technical

[@thedefinitionisthis]

Not rooting for the Cavs in any way shape or form.... But it's legitimately stupid to criticize Lebron for "diva behavior" in that moment. Get the fuck outta here. That's a legit frustrating moment. Dude's already done what he can for the team, putting up 51 fucking points. And you're gonna dock marks off him for showing frustration AFTER a bone-headed play by JR, and the fact they had a timeout that Lue failed to communicate?.... Nah man. That's not right.

[@nbaofficialnowhistle8796]

These media members openly Disrespecting this man got a real 2016 vibe to it. If Lebron pulls off a comeback they'll go back to dickridin like they nevee said such ridiculous shit

[@wolflg]

This was diva like behavior and I'm a Lebron fan, but when other players get pissed from throwing towels at coachs, kicking over water cooler, arguing with team mates they say its emotion, but since they hate lebron they say he is diva. You think Kobe wasn't a diva, or brady isn't diva. GTFOH

[@RoodyCall]

So lebron should’ve not feel anything for scoring 51 and still loosing the game

[@Vecna82]

Le Batard dont get distract by the lequeen fans disliking the video, they are just bias.

[@Anthonycheesman33]

And if LeBron James laughs we say he doesn't take it seriously

[@Justdale15]

anthony cheesman faxx

[@teddyotto9818]

Great take!

[@Pacdatty831]

LeBron looked disinterested in overtime

[@damonasberry288]

GTFOH!!! He dropped 51 points and was close to a triple double... he did everything for this team in this game! He had every right to be pissed. I WOULD HAVE BEEN PISSED in that situation, and if anyone says they wouldn't be, YOU'RE FLAT OUT LYING. Once again, GTFOH with this nonsense!

[@josephmata8966]

Nobody on this show knows what they are talking about anybody would act that way knowing the circumstances

[@kinsoncooper7333]

Hope you do it to all superstars moving forward.

[@StrengthOfSamson45]

As much as I dislike LBJ... And yes, he's a diva, but at that moment, it wasn't diva tantrum.

[@lukkyone6420]

HURT THAT BEAUTIFUL MAN...GRAB HIS STOCKING LIKE PANTS, 2AM SUNGLASSES,& PURSE, AND WALKED OUT. DAMN SOYBOY.

[@mjjumps]

I agree with Dan but he’s going overboard and acting like a gossip girl at the lunch table

[@theuinsuper6669]

Smh

[@un12eal1990]

Im going for gsw, but man, lebron is a damn good player. How is he supposed to react? If he smiled, you would have said he aint serious enough, if he looked emotionless, you would say he lacks presence, if he got angry, you would say he loses his composure to easily. He reacted, like any normal person who wants to win would. These social media people, are just toxic for the brain smh

[@Peek935]

Cancel this bum show

[@Jane-wu7qm]

I'm a Warriors fan but gotta defend Lebron here. They were JUST about to steal Game 1 from the Warriors and he had a performance of a lifetime and they lost the way they did. Give him a moment to just react honestly to it.

[@macnificent4]

Lebron already knew they had time outs because he tried to call one during the jr play. It shows lack of leadership. Lots of other players have had dudes do boneheaded shit even shit on jrs level and lebron is the ONLY ten top player I’ve EVER seen act this particular way. Maybe guys did it away from the camera but no one acted like this on the bench in front of a guy. Rather see lebron going off full blast than this weak ass shit.

[@OceanMikey]

Lediva😂

[@SeecretWeapon]

But I thought he’s the best? Didn’t he know ?? He passed up the shot to George hill Is bird, magic, kobe, Jordan passing up that shot? Are they acting like that on the bench with their team going into OT? Enough with the stupid stats for ball hogging all game

[@ColdDream224]

LeBron is coddled by the media they said 🙄

[@adrienisaacrubalcado5879]

Bryan This Is literally the first time any media has been critical of Lebron these entire playoffs besides Stephen A Smith keeping It real

[@Justdale15]

Adrien Perez I hope you're joking lol. Be real

[@DonkeyKong5479]

Finds one video of a nobody criticizing LeBum “Omggg why does the media hate on my daddy! 😤😤”

[@replicantona]

Don Moody What?? They literally say he was off and he can't be superhuman every day. This was the only show that criticized him, show me the ESPN show that made this situation even remotely about Lebron?? This is why i like Lebatard, he doesn't care about what everyone is doing on the network like the sheeps always do flocking to their leader Lebron.

[@erictolbert5769]

Man they be on LeBron ass daily, WTH y'all on.

[@dannyg88]

Its more bad leadership and a lack of self awareness. Body language and how you behave during adversity is crucial. You need to convey confidence to your teammates. Sulking the way LeBron did conveys a message of despair and defeat. Even in his better moments, he never empowers his teammates. Win or lose, happy or angry, it’s all about him and his emotions. Great talent, terrible leader.

[@rtoujr]

So what? Saltier than lbj much?

[@albertedmond9134]

Y’all so unrealistic about human emotions 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@marcobiondo3647]

DLB is way out of line here, I'm not the biggest LeBron fan but I would've reacted the same way as him. This is my first and last time I'll listen to these guys. I'll just watch First Take for now.

[@fearmenot7595]

This is so dumb honestly Lebron obviously knows there is a timeout left, but he didn’t get a chance to do a timeout because MR.WEED is on the run.... Proof:You can see Lebron trying to do a timeout but the Ref was looking at JR and others, and things got messed up for the Cavs...

[@monicajohnson2683]

You guys won't say that to his face. And you guys don't know half the pressure he is under. This team should be kissing his ass and furthermore a lot of these guys are making millions of dollars they need to step up and do their jobs. I would have done the same thing. He should leave this team as soon as he can.

[@small1dk]

Reading the comments and laughing my ass off, stop talking about my boo thang!!!!!👶😥!!!! Go back to 2011 after the Mavericks demolished the Heat and listen to some of the things Lebron said, he deserves all the criticism in the world. The best player should never react in such a way!!!!!

[@crazytrain111]

get out of here with this diva bullshit. These dudes are human, you can’t take something stunning like that and just reset your brain in 30 seconds. Tim Duncan is widely considered one of the greatest leaders ever in sports.. what happened to his team when Ray Allen buried that shot and snatched their ring away. They crumbled in overtime and lost game 7, looked mentally fried. Lebron just watched the refs call him for a foul on a clean steal, not call Looney for a foul on Lebron, Curry get an and 1 call on the other end, Hill miss a free throw, draymond get away with a lane violation, JR Smith not knowing the score and his coach not knowing they had a TO.... Michael Jordan would have punched someone, probably JR Smith in that situation, he punched teammates for doing much less. Stop this diva bullshit. Nobody could handle that and be ready to go back out for 5 more minutes against the warriors, 30 seconds after it happened. I swear man we find any way we can to pull down Lebron.

[@daworldthroughmyeyez5655]

From a bunch of guys who never play a day of sports in their lives 🤔🤔🤔

[@razkable]

hey lebron..call timeout, go play the boards on the ft line yourself rather than a 6-5 guard and maybe you would have had the chance at a put back game winner, be better in game 2, dont sulk in ot, dont cry and barate the media ...that man smith makes over 15 million this year alone..that man needs to know time and score..but lebron gets mad at media destroying smith the way fans are because we are on your side but secretly LeBron wants us to barrate his shit teammates namely smith and hill and yet he wants to be seen as a good guy who hates media that attack players yet he overeacts himself...