We should know by now that LeBron James is very particular about the type of apparel he straps on for gametime. James finally shed his expanding headband during Game 5 of the NBA Finals against San Antonio, but after catching an elbow to the face from Serge Ibaka nearly two weeks ago, the four-time NBA MVP had also been rocking a clear protective mask as well.
Midway through the first quarter a frustrated James got rid of the mask. Dwyane Wade and James are GQ mainstays, but it doesn't have anything to do with high fashion. This was about basketball.
It didn't help though. James finished the game with just 19 points on 6-of-18 shooting and afterwards shifted a piece of the blame to his other equipment.
"I'm not making excuses, but I'm not a big fan of the jerseys," said James, who had 19 points in the Heat's 24-point loss. "Every time I shoot it feels like it's just pulling right up underneath my arm. I already don't have much room for error on my jump shot. It's definitely not a good thing."
No, not the sleeve on his shooting elbow that he credits Iverson for introducing him and other NBA players to.
James' issue is with the smedium Heat short-sleeved jerseys that the Heat have worn three times already this season.
It may sound like a weak excuse, but it actually has some statistical credibility to back up his claim. Kwahi Leonard bothered James all night and has consistently slowed James down, Durant is locked in a race with James for MVP and Paul George is coming for the King's crown, but the thorns upon his shoulders in the form of short-sleeved jersey have proven to be James' greatest obstacle.
First we had Kendrick Perkins "The Dwight Stoooer", Raja Bell "The Kobe Stopper" and now Meet the LeBron Stopper. pic.twitter.com/wK18CLR99w
— DJ RedHerring Dunson (@CerebralSportex) March 7, 2014
