Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James declined to wade into the drama surrounding the Los Angeles Clippers and Chris Paul.
“It’s not for me to comment on, to be honest. It’s none of my business,” he told reporters after Saturday’s 103-88 loss to the Clips.
James also said he hasn’t spoken with Paul after L.A. sent him home with an eye toward formalizing his exit.
More context could surface that points to why Paul’s reunion with the Clippers came to such an abrupt conclusion.
Based on reports from The Athletic’s Law Murray and ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Paul’s leadership style simply didn’t mesh with Los Angeles’ players and coaching staff.
Shelburne reported that “the Clippers seemed to recoil” when the 12-time All-Star followed through on the vision he outlined before signing.
“When he offered suggestions to a player about training methods, he was warned not to undermine the staff, sources said,” per the report. “When he’d challenge players on or off the court, or tell them how to run a play, there were complaints from players and coaches that he was abrasive.”
Even he were to chat with his fellow member of the banana boat crew, James wouldn’t get a full picture as to what happened behind the scenes. There ultimately isn’t much insight he can add to the situation.