LeBron James went ahead and called out the Clippers for talking so much smack, only to blow it in the playoffs.
If the 2019-20 NBA season taught us anything, it’s that the Los Angeles Clippers could talk the talk, but they definitely couldn’t back things up. Throughout the year, LA was known for chirping, talking trash whenever they saw an opening. That will happen when you have guys like Paul George and Patrick Beverley on your roster.
However, things came back to bite them in a big way, as they blew a 3-1 lead in the postseason going up against the Denver Nuggets. Ouch. LeBron James heard all the smack coming from his crosstown rivals too, which is why he had to put the team in their place and call them out.
LeBron James owned the Clippers for talking so much trash last season
While on the Road Trippin’ podcast hosted by Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye and Allie Clifton, James let the Clippers know exactly how he felt.
“They put theyself in a position to get what they’ve been talking s–t about all year,” James said via Bleacher Report. “And I just couldn’t fathom the part or come to the realization that they did not seek that opportunity when it was right there, up 3-1.”
James has a point. The Clippers felt on top of the world up 3-1 against the Nuggets and probably thought they were all set to take another step toward reaching the NBA Finals. However, Denver stormed back in brilliant fashion and put the kibosh on the Clippers’ plans.
Everyone expected the Lakers and Clippers to meet in the Western Conference Finals, but that simply did not happen. We may see it next year, but if the Clippers are smart, they’ll choose to be a little more humble in 2020-21.