When the Washington Wizards and the Cleveland Cavaliers faced off in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, all eyes were on LeBron James. The four-time MVP has a long history of success against the Wizards, but this time it was different. Before the game, James made a point to avoid exchanging words with Washington head coach Scott Brooks.
The two have had a contentious relationship since James joined the Cavaliers in 2014. During a game in 2015, James was ejected after exchanging words with Brooks. Since then, James has made it a point to stay away from Brooks whenever possible.
In the lead up to Game 3, James was asked about his relationship with Brooks and he simply said, “I don’t have one.” He then went on to say that he was focused on the game and not on any personal issues.
It is clear that James is taking a mature approach to the situation. He is not letting his personal feelings get in the way of his performance on the court. This is a sign of growth for James, who has had his share of controversies in the past.
James’ decision to stay away from Brooks is also a sign of respect for the Wizards’ head coach. Despite their past differences, James is showing that he can still be professional and put his team first.
It will be interesting to see if James and Brooks can find common ground in the future. For now, it appears that James is taking the high road and refraining from exchanging words with Brooks ahead of Game 3.