National Basketball Association

Athletes shaken by Connecticut shooting

Published Dec. 15, 2012 3:43 p.m. ET

foxsports

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra walked off the court following his team's practice Saturday morning, took a seat behind a microphone and started speaking his mind.

His words had nothing to do with basketball.

Friday's school shooting in Newtown, Conn., was the primary topic for the Heat, even though they were gathered to finish preparing for a game against Washington. Spoelstra called the deaths of so many innocent victims ''despicable.'' LeBron James used the word ''devastating.'' Udonis Haslem said he tears up whenever he thinks of what happened.

Said James, the league's reigning MVP: ''Basketball, this is nothing. These games are nothing compared to when you have a tragedy like that.''