Nov. 14 (UPI) — The pettiness continues for LeBron James after the Cleveland Cavaliers star took another dig at the New York Knicks Tuesday on Instagram.
James netted 23 points and came one rebound shy of a triple-double in the Cavaliers’ 104-101 win against the Knicks Monday at Madison Square Garden.
He began a back-and-forth with Knicks players on Saturday. King James made a comment regarding the Knicks, saying that the franchise should have drafted Dennis Smith Jr. in the 2017 NBA Draft instead of Frank Ntilikina.
Knicks players backed up their teammate and James later copped to the comment being aimed at former Knicks president Phil Jackson.
Monday’s game got chippy early.
James slammed home a first-quarter dunk and turned to run toward the Knicks’ basket. He stopped his jog and stood in front of Ntilikina. The rookie picked up the ball and shoved James away. Knicks big man Enes Kanter then sprinted down the court to back up his teammate and get in James’ face for a heated verbal exchange.
“The comments like I said [Sunday] did not affect me,” Ntilikina told reporters, according to the New York Daily News.
“Like I said, people can take whatever they take whatever they want. As a team we’re going to stay focused in what we’re doing. I didn’t even think about it.It showed the chemistry of the team. Our thinking, just together, we’ll fight together in all our games. It was good to have them right here and they know I’ll be here for them. That’s just how we are.”
Before Monday’s game, James and the Cavaliers took a subway ride from shoot around to the team hotel.
“Thanks so much for taking the subway Lebron, but the King of this town is @kporzee and we’re riding with the Knicks tonight. #KnicksTape,” the MTA tweeted, after seeing a video James shot of the subway ride.
Kanter dissed James again on Monday after the game.
“You ain’t coming into my house playing that water-bottle-flip game again. You know what I mean? I don’t care who you are. King – what do you call yourself? – King, queen, princess, whatever you are, you know what? We’re going to fight. And nobody out there going to punk us,” Kanter told reporters.
“That’s corny,” James told reporters after the game. “I’m the King. My wife is the queen, and my daughter is the princess. So, we got all three covered.”
James responded again Tuesday on Instagram.
“You’re welcome…[King’s crown emoji] of NY #myfavoriteplayground #striveforgreatness,” James wrote on Instagram.
James’ Instagram photo featured him dribbling the ball on top of the Knicks’ half court logo.
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