After the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Michigan Wolverines 122–119 on Friday in the NBA In-Season Tournament, LeBron James made a jab at the team.
Against the Suns, James finished with 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. From 2019 to 22, Frank Vogel, the coach of Phoenix, spent three seasons with LeBron James’ Lakers.
After the game, James made jokes about Vogel and the Wolverines. One shot, two shots.
After the game, James made jokes about Vogel and the Wolverines. One shot, two shots.
“We’ve got some history with Coach Frank,” James said. “We’re able to kind of have that blueprint and be able to steal some signals, as well. That was key to our success. The best thing thing about tonight we were able to get those signals and we’ll still be able to play on Sunday. We don’t get suspended — like that Team Up North.”
LeBron quips that the Lakers can still play, unlike Michigan, despite claiming that they stole signals from Frank Vogel.
James is a well-known alum of Ohio State sports, so it was evident that he was making fun of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, who will not be in charge of Saturday’s matchup with Penn State.
The Big Ten decided that Harbaugh could not be on the sidelines for Michigan’s last three games, which included the Nov. 25 rivalry game against No. 1 Ohio State. Connor Stalions, a Michigan worker, was involved in an in-person scouting and sign-stealing controversy that led to his pay suspension from the University of Michigan on October 20.
James also alluded to the fact that sign-stealing occurs frequently at NBA games. That Friday evening worked. Under first-year coach Darvin Ham, the Lakers overcame an eight-point halftime hole to move to 4-5 on the year. Under Vogel, who is in his first season with the Suns, the club dropped to 4-5.
Together, Vogel and James helped the Lakers win an NBA championship in 2019–20.