Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James gestures during a game on Jan. 14, 2016. AP FILE PHOTO
LOS ANGELES, United States — Cleveland star LeBron James seemed too caught up in the moment to notice a heckling fan who urged him to “Just suck it up, LeBron” as he argued a non-call with a referee in the second half of the Cavaliers’ 115-92 victory over the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Sunday.
But James acknowledged the jibe after the game on Twitter, posting a short video in which the woman’s comment can be heard with the caption “I guess she told me!! Hahahaha #JustSuckItUpLeBron #noMomo #Classic”
READ: LeBron may skip Rio Olympics without Kobe on roster—report
Chicago bullish on Gasol
Chicago’s All-Star forward Pau Gasol said in December he planned to test the free agent waters after the season, sparking suggestions the Bulls might seek to deal him by the February 18 trade deadline.
Instead, Bulls general manager Gar Forman said the Spaniard was “part of our core” and even though the Sacramento Kings reportedly sought to acquire him he stayed put in Chicago.
“I love what Pau brings,” Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. “Everybody in this organization values Pau a lot.”
Gasol, 36, said that for his part the Bulls are “for sure” the front runners to retain his services even beyond this season. A lot will depend on how the team finish out the campaign. They currently hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference in what has been an erratic season so far.
“I do still believe we can still turn this thing around a little bit or a lot and put ourselves in a good position,” Gasol said.
READ: Gasol leads Bulls over Clippers to stop skid
Nifty Fifties
New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis’s 59 points in a win over Detroit on Sunday was the NBA’s season high — but far from the first 50-point performance of 2015-16.
His effort came two days after Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard poured in 51 in a victory over Golden State. Chicago’s Jimmy Butler, Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins, Houston’s Jame Harden, Charlotte’s Kemba Walker and Golden State’s Stephen Curry (twice) — have all posted 50-point games this season.
The seven players to reach the mark are one shy of the record eight who did so in the 1989-90 season.