LeBron James on sleeved jerseys: 'If the fans love them, I love them'
LeBron James called the Cavaliers' sleeved jerseys "nice" despite ripping his.
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LeBron James called the Cleveland Cavaliers' black sleeved jerseys "nice" on the same night that he cut his sleeves off. After the Cavaliers' 96-86 win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday, James told reporters that his wardrobe adjustment was because he was frustrated with shooting, not the jersey itself.
"I was just frustrated with myself, I was just off rhythm a lot tonight, and the jersey was the only thing I could go to," James said. "I couldn't do nothing to my face."
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"I don't know, it might be mental, man," James said. "It's OK. The jerseys are nice. We love the jerseys. The black looks great. It's been awhile since this franchise has worn black. So it's great to be out there and wear those uniforms. I was in my own way. I was frustrated with my shot, I couldn't make a bucket, so like I said, I had to take it out on something."
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"I mean, if the fans love them, I love them," James said. "That's what it's all about. I think our fans here in Cleveland and around the world and around the league love the uniforms. I'll wear them for 48 minutes in a ballgame. Obviously, I'm so used to the sleeveless cutoffs, whatever you want to call them -- tank tops -- I've been playing in tank tops my whole life. But for a game here, a game there, I don't mind it."
Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony told reporters that the tight jersey "probably was restricting his shot a little bit," but James himself did not offer any criticism. This was the smart move if he wanted to avoid a fine, but he's voiced his concerns in the past.
As a member of the Miami Heat in 2013, he said that his team's shooters were upset about their sleeved Christmas jerseys before they'd even played in them. Later that season, he said that the sleeves bothered his jumper. NBA commissioner Adam Silver discussed the issue with James.
James wore one of the jerseys in practice before the game against the Knicks and signed off on them, according to cleveland.com's Joe Vardon. Still, I wouldn't bet on Cleveland wearing these in the playoffs after this.
