The Cleveland Cavaliers had some rare time off before starting another weekend stretch of games. With consecutive off days, LeBron James used that time to fly down to Miami and work out with friend and former teammate Dwyane Wade. James posted a video of the two working out with trainer David Alexander, and the backlash was more than either player expected.
Criticism came flying in after the video of James and Wade hit the Internet. The Cleveland Cavaliers are holding onto the No.1 seed in the Eastern Conference while the Miami Heat are climbing in the No.4 spot. The two players are technically enemies during the season, but James had no interest in playing into that as he shook off the criticism from the media.
"What do I go there for? Go there 'cause I want to," James said. "I would love to go to L.A., but I'll take 2-1/2 [hour flight] over 4-1/2. I've got a house in L.A., but it makes more sense for me to go south than go west. But I go because I want to. That's cool? I'm OK to leave when I want to leave? Be back at my work on time, two hours before? OK. Last one to leave the gym. OK. Thank you. Love you guys."
James was quick to follow up the remarks on Twitter by reminding everyone that he and Wade were friends long before they were on opposing teams. Wade told reporters that the two had a good workout and it is not odd to train with friends. The Miami Heat star was quick to put the idea that the workout was controversial to rest.
"It's the gym I work out at. We worked together today and that's it. That's one of my best friends so it's not odd," Wade said.
James has been forced to take on a lot of criticism lately. The Cavaliers might be No.1 in the Eastern Conference, but they have not played to their ranking lately. That has caused rumors to swirl around the team regarding players like Kyrie Irving being unhappy with the franchise. Cleveland is in win-now mode, and if it fails to achieve that, a roster breakup could be on the horizon. James knows the season rests on his shoulders and he will be blamed if the Cavaliers failed to win a title.
"I mean, it shouldn't be much pressure, I don't think. I'm going to get the blame anyways," James said.
