MIAMI -- If you were expecting a response from LeBron James to Lance Stephenson's comments about his trash talking being "a sign of weakness," you'll have to wait for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals.
"I really didn't have a reaction," James said before the game Monday night. "I grinned, that's it."
James and Stephenson went after each other verbally during the second quarter of Game 3, and it wasn't the first time they've exchanged words and gestures. During the 2012 playoff series between the Heat and Pacers, Stephenson made a choke gesture after James missed some free throws.
"I don't need much motivation," James said. "It can help at times. When you're doubted or when people have written you off, you can use it as motivation. I've done that before, and I've grinned and laughed at it, too."
James did say he has a few things in mind for making sure the Heat don't get off to a slow start, as they did in Game 3.
"I kind of have a mindset of how I want to start the game off and we'll take it from there," he said.
