Pistons’ Stanley Johnson sounds off on LeBron James
Detroit Pistons rookie Stanley Johnson went off on Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James after his team lost in Game 2.
When a team is down two games to nothing and could very well be in danger of getting swept, it’s probably not a good idea for a rookie to insult one of the best players to ever play the game and their team. That didn’t stop Detroit Pistons rookie forward Stanley Johnson from sounding off on LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, after the Pistons lost Game 2 on the road on Wednesday night.
During the game, James and Johnson appeared to bump each other and it really seemed to set Johnson off. After the game, Johnson had plenty to say about the two bumping.
#Pistons Stanley Johnson on #Cavaliers LeBron James: "I didn’t bump him, he bumped me. It was a cheap-ass shot, a cheap-ass bump.” #NBA
— Brian Dulik (@BrianDulik) April 21, 2016
If everyone thought the rookie was done ranting there, he decided to go for broke with his rant and called out the Cavaliers bench and referred to them as cheerleaders, according to Nick Friedell.
Stanley Johnson on LeBron: "I'm definitely in his head. That's for sure."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) April 21, 2016
Stanley Johnson on LeBron: "I wish he would just talk when [the game] is 0-0, not when he's up 16."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) April 21, 2016
Johnson on LBJ/Cavs: "He jabbers. He moves his mouth sometimes. Their whole team does, kind of like their little cheerleaders on the bench."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) April 21, 2016
Stanley Johnson when asked why he's not afraid of LeBron as many other young players would be in same situation:
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) April 21, 2016
"Why would I be?"
Johnson on LBJ: "He's going to have to strap his shoes in every night tight because I'm going to strap my shoes in every night tight."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) April 21, 2016
It’s safe to say that if there’s any safe bet to be made, LeBron might drop 40 on Johnson next game. While the rookie certainly has confidence and isn’t afraid to speak what’s on his mind, it is an absolutely terrible look for a rookie and these aren’t the comments to be making down two games.
Someone on the Pistons might pull the rookie aside and say something to him, because his comments just mean that the Cavaliers are going to be all the more determined and that impacts the team as a whole. The Pistons have shown some fight against the Cavaliers more than most No. 8 seeds usually do.
If they’d like to steal a game at home, it’s probably best that they don’t wake up a sleeping giant.
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