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LeBron James On Pelicans’ Disrespectful Defense: ‘I Have No Explanation’

By Bryan Rose

Dec 12, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans forward Luke Babbitt (8) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots over New Orleans Pelicans forward Luke Babbitt (8) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers has no explanation for what many perceived to be ‘disrespectful’ defense by the New Orleans Pelicans.

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When LeBron James is on the court, you generally assume your best wing defender will be matched up against the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar.

For the New Orleans Pelicans, that would likely be Tyreke Evans or possibly even John Salmons. But that’s not what head coach Monty Williams decided to do as little used Luke Babbitt, who only averages 16 minutes on the season, was put in the game to defend James.

Not only did Babbitt guard the Cleveland Cavaliers icon but he did so for 30 minutes, a significant jump from his normal minutes.

LeBron James was asked about the New Orleans Pelicans unique defensive strategy after the game though he seemed a bit perplexed, if anything.

“Uh, nah,” James answered with a puzzled looked on his face. “No. I mean, uh, no. I have no explanation behind that.”

So did the Pelicans decision to place the fifth-year veteran on LeBron James work out? Technically, yes, as the Pelicans came away with a hard-fought victory though James put up 41-points in the process so it wasn’t as if Babbitt slowed down the former multiple time NBA MVP award winner.

It seems doubtful the Pelicans would run with a similar strategy the next time the two teams meet considering how well LeBron James played, despite the fact it came in a losing effort.

Cleveland’s loss was more about their inability to stop the Pelicans from scoring at will compared to Babbitt’s “defense” on James.

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