If the NBA was aiming for awkward in scheduling LeBron James' former team to play his current one in an early overseas preseason game, the league is getting its wish.
The latest uncomfortable situation took place Friday, one day before James and his Cleveland Cavaliers were scheduled to face the Miami Heat -- or the team James left in free agency mere months ago. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
On Friday, James reacted to comments made by former teammates such as Chris Bosh and Mario Chalmers, who haven't necessarily ripped James, but they sure aren't offering handshakes and hugs, either.
As James described it, he has noticed "a lot of words" being spoken by the same Heat players who he led four straight Finals, and "some of it is surprising."
This time of year in the NBA is usually reserved for meaningless games that draw little buzz and typically go unnoticed by the general public. But LeBron's comments seemed to add to what has become an uneasy state of affairs with the two teams sharing the same gym for practice and staying in nearby quarters.
Earlier this week, when asked about James, Bosh said he's concerned only with his current teammates. He has since, to an extent, clarified his comments.
"We don't dislike each other or anything like that, it's nothing like that," Bosh said. "On the court, he's about the Cavs. We're about the Heat. That's where it ends."
James and the Heat won two championships together and he said the recent back-and-forth "doesn't take away from what we accomplished."
He added that he has recently spoken to close friend and Heat guard Dwyane Wade, although "obviously, I haven't talked to Chris."
Along with LeBron, swingmen Mike Miller and James Jones are former members of the Heat who joined the Cavs this summer.
"I want people to understand I'm a competitor, and (James is) on the other team," Bosh said. "I think he'd understand that, and I understand that, and that's how it is now."
As for the actual game, Cavs point guard Kyrie Irving is expected to sit out with a tender ankle, and James, Bosh, Wade and other starters from both teams are likely to play less than half the game.
The Cavs and Heat meet for real on Christmas Day at Miami. The events leading up to that night may not be as awkward, as seemingly filled with tension, as this one is.
"It'll be good to try and get the weirdness out now," Wade said, and he makes a valid point.
