LeBron James ;defended TNT's Allie LaForce after she asked him to "share his thoughts" on the passing of Erin Popovich, the longtime wife of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, in an interview last night after the Cavaliers' win over the Pacers. Many on social media "criticized LaForce for putting James on the spot" after Popovich's passing earlier in the day, but James posted a video hours later on his Uninterrupted platform to "provide some clarity." James: "A lot of people feel like I was blindsided. That is absolutely false. Allie LaForce told me that she was going to ask me the question and if it was OK. ... Please get off Allie LaForce's back, because she followed the proper protocol and she warned me. Get off her back, man. She's very professional and she does a great job" (USA TODAY, 4/19).
At halftime of T'Wolves-Rockets, which followed Cavs-Pacers, TNT's Ernie Johnson reiterated that LaForce had "asked James if he wanted to comment" on Popovich, and that he had "agreed to do so" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/19).
It is "uncertain whether Gregg Popovich will coach" tonight's Game 3 of the Warriors-Spurs first-round playoff series (S.F. CHRONICLE, 4/19).
